songbird

American  

[sawng-burd, song-] / ˈsɔŋˌbɜrd, ˈsɒŋ- /

noun

1. a bird that sings.

2. any passerine bird of the suborder Oscines.

3. Slang. a woman vocalist.

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songbird British  

/ ˈsɒŋˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any passerine bird of the suborder Oscines, having highly developed vocal organs and, in most, a musical call

2. any bird having a musical call

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Etymology

Origin of songbird

First recorded in 1765–75; song + bird

Example Sentences

He has given up on many nights of sleep to set songbirds free, and he has spent the last 10 years persuading the police in Beijing to take this crime seriously.

From BBC

With songbirds in decline across Europe, he said it is important to "cherish" moments like this.

From BBC

A philosopher, historian, songbird of grief and prophet, Didion foretold the city’s future with startling accuracy.

From Los Angeles Times

This region shelters not only migratory songbirds but also jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws.

From Science Daily

So she let herself sleep, too, and dreamed only of happy things: chirping songbirds and Black Forest cake, and sweet-tempered ponies with long red ribbons braided through their silky manes.

From Literature