yardbird
Americannoun
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a convict or prisoner.
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an army recruit.
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a soldier confined to camp and assigned to cleaning the grounds or other menial tasks as punishment for violation of the rules.
noun
Etymology
Origin of yardbird
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The cost of the beloved yardbird has shot up on menus across the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
Now, because of a mix of slim restaurant margins, inflation, a national protein obsession and consumer expectations, the beloved yardbird has become a proxy for the affordability crisis.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
The fiery, cayenne-laden style of yardbird, born in the city, is a foodie obsession.
From New York Times • Dec. 18, 2017
Dishes of note: Fried yardbird with potatoes, collards and mace gravy; Helga’s meatballs and pasta with tomato ragout and ricotta toast.
From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2016
Frank Sinatra, who ably made the switch from crooner to yardbird last year in From Here to Eternity, now proves there is plenty of ham on the famous skinnybones.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
