Dictionary.com

yardbird

[ yahrd-burd ]
/ ˈyɑrdˌbɜrd /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for yardbird on Thesaurus.com
noun Slang.
a convict or prisoner.
an army recruit.
a soldier confined to camp and assigned to cleaning the grounds or other menial tasks as punishment for violation of the rules.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of yardbird

1940–45, Americanism;yard2 + bird, by analogy with jailbird

Words nearby yardbird

yarco, yard, yardage, yardang, yardarm, yardbird, yard goods, yard grass, Yardie, yarding, yardland
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to yardbird

convict, crook, culprit, felon, fugitive, gangster, hoodlum, hooligan, lawbreaker, mobster, offender, thug, criminal, miscreant, wrongdoer, delinquent, captive, detainee, hostage, baddie

British Dictionary definitions for yardbird

yardbird
/ (ˈjɑːdˌbɜːd) /
noun
US military an inexperienced, untrained, or clumsy soldier, esp one employed on menial duties
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
FEEDBACK