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Bird Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bird

[bɜrd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

animal

A warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate distinguished by the possession of feathers, wings, and a beak.

Synonyms

avian, feathered friend, fowl.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bird

General term for any feathered vertebrate. Suitable for everyday conversation and common usage.

  • I saw a beautiful bird in the park today.
  • The bird flew away quickly.
avian

More formal or scientific context when referring to characteristics or studies related to birds.

  • The avian species in this region are diverse.
  • She is an expert in avian biology.
fowl

Used primarily in agricultural, culinary, or hunting contexts to refer to domesticated birds, especially those raised for meat or eggs. Can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation.

  • We keep chickens and other fowl on our farm.
  • The hunter brought back some fowl for dinner.
feathered friend

Informal and affectionate term, often used when talking about pet birds or birds in a friendly manner.

  • My feathered friend loves to sit on my shoulder.
  • We have a new feathered friend in our backyard.

Examples of usage

  • Birds are the only living members of the dinosaur family.
  • Many birds migrate south for the winter.
  • The robin is a common bird found in North America.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, birds are symbols of freedom and hope, representing the human desire to rise above challenges.
  • Birds feature prominently in many ancient mythologies, such as the Egyptian god Horus, who is depicted with a falcon head.
  • The dove, a type of bird, is often seen as a symbol of peace in various religions and traditions.

Science

  • Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates belonging to the class Aves, characterized by feathers and beaks.
  • The heart of birds is specially adapted for flight, having a four-chambered structure that efficiently pumps oxygen-rich blood.
  • Birds communicate through songs and calls, using specialized vocal organs called syrinxes located at the base of their trachea.

Pop Culture

  • Birds are popular characters in cartoons and stories, such as Tweety Bird from Looney Tunes and Rio, the blue macaw.
  • The phrase 'free as a bird' is commonly used to express the feeling of complete freedom and lack of responsibilities.
  • Oscar-nominated film 'Birdman' explores themes of identity and fame through its title character, showing the deeper meanings birds can represent.

Ecology

  • Birds play crucial roles in maintaining ecosystems, such as pollination and seed dispersal, which helps with plant growth.
  • Many bird species are indicators of environmental health; their presence or absence can signal changes in ecosystems.
  • Conservation efforts for endangered bird species have increased, highlighting their importance in biodiversity and the health of our planet.

Origin of 'bird'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'bird' comes from the Old English word 'brid,' which referred to a young bird.
  • In various cultures, the term for bird often relates to words meaning 'to fly' or 'winged one.'
  • Historically, 'bird' was used more broadly to include various small animals before narrowing down to the feathered species we know today.

The word 'bird' comes from the Old English word 'brid', which is of Germanic origin. Birds have been an important part of human culture and mythology for centuries, symbolizing freedom, beauty, and spirituality. They are also known for their diverse range of species and unique adaptations for flight.

See also: birding, birdwatching, bluebird, seabird.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,824, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.