wren

[ ren ]

/ rɛn /

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noun

any of numerous small, active songbirds of the family Troglodytidae, especially Troglodytes troglodytes, of the Northern Hemisphere, having dark-brown plumage barred with black and a short, upright tail.Compare house wren, marsh wren, rock wren, winter wren.

any of various similar, unrelated birds, especially any of several Old World warblers.

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Origin of wren

before 900; Middle English wrenn(e), Old English wrenna, obscurely akin to Old High German wrendilo,Old Norse rindill

Words nearby wren

wrecking, wrecking bar, wrecking car, wrecking crane, Wrekin, wren, wrench, Wren, Christopher, Wrens, wren-tit, wrest

Other definitions for wren (2 of 3)

Wren¹

[ ren ]

/ rɛn /

noun (sometimes lowercase)Chiefly British Informal.

a member of the Wrens.

Origin of Wren

First recorded in 1915–20

Other definitions for wren (3 of 3)

Wren²

[ ren ]

/ rɛn /

noun

Sir Christopher, 1632–1723, English architect.

Percival Christopher, 1885–1941, English novelist.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wren in a sentence

Mother fairy wrens sang while incubating their eggs, even though it would have made more sense to keep quiet to avoid attracting predators.
Some birds learn to recognize calls while still in their eggs|Lesley Evans Ogden|September 16, 2021|Science News
Colombelli-Négrel and colleagues’ earlier studies of unhatched fairy wrens showed a slowed heart rate in response to repeated sounds of their own species, but not others.
Some birds learn to recognize calls while still in their eggs|Lesley Evans Ogden|September 16, 2021|Science News
Wren and Janzo unleash a menace so Garret and Zed go on a hunt.
What to watch on Thursday: ‘Monster in the Shadows’ on Peacock|Anying Guo|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
They probably wouldn’t allow another wren pair to nest there.
On the house: Wrens are nesting in my backyard bird box. I couldn’t be happier.|John Kelly|July 7, 2021|Washington Post

“The market is still pretty convinced we’re going to see good news on both fronts, it’s just not sure when,” Wren said.
Stocks fall as Europe reports rising covid rates|Jeff|October 15, 2020|Fortune
As an example, on the street yesterday I found a Winter Wren.
How I Write: Jared Diamond|Noah Charney|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is part of the clock-tower wing of the royal residence, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century.
Prince William Is Out of a Job. What Now?|Nico Hines|August 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Their son, Wren, was born on March 9, 2010, shortly after noon.
Home Birth: Increasingly Popular, But Dangerous|Michelle Goldberg|June 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
With every breath, Wren made a cooing noise, but Jones looked online and saw that lots of newborns make funny sounds.
Home Birth: Increasingly Popular, But Dangerous|Michelle Goldberg|June 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Wren glanced at the small person whose breakfast she had interrupted.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
The Wren Building, named in his honor, was constructed by 1698 and it is the oldest academic structure still in existence.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
The original design of Wren had to be altered slightly because of the terrain of the country-side.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
The wren, to seek for which used to be the sport dedicated to the holytide, was left unpursued and unslain.
Peveril of the Peak|Sir Walter Scott
And the song and story which that thoughtful priest put into the ritual, was the story of the wren.
Prairie Smoke (Second Edition, Revised)|Melvin Randolph Gilmore

British Dictionary definitions for wren (1 of 3)

wren

/ (rɛn) /

noun

any small brown passerine songbird of the chiefly American family Troglodytidae, esp Troglodytes troglodytes (wren in Britain, winter wren in the US and Canada). They have a slender bill and feed on insects

any of various similar birds of the families Muscicapidae (Australian warblers), Xenicidae (New Zealand wrens), etc

Word Origin for wren

Old English wrenna, werna; related to Old High German wrendo, rentilo, Old Norse rindill

British Dictionary definitions for wren (2 of 3)

Wren¹

/ (rɛn) /

noun

history informal (in Britain and certain other nations) a member of the former Women's Royal Naval Service

Word Origin for Wren

C20: from the abbreviation WRNS

British Dictionary definitions for wren (3 of 3)

Wren²

/ (rɛn) /

noun

Sir Christopher. 1632–1723, English architect. He designed St Paul's Cathedral and over 50 other London churches after the Great Fire as well as many secular buildings

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

wren

Origin of wren

Words nearby wren

Other definitions for wren (2 of 3)

Origin of Wren

Other definitions for wren (3 of 3)

Words related to wren

How to use wren in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wren (1 of 3)

Word Origin for wren

British Dictionary definitions for wren (2 of 3)

Word Origin for Wren

British Dictionary definitions for wren (3 of 3)