cliff swallow

noun

: a colonial swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) of the New World with a pale buff rump and dark throat patch that builds mud nests resembling jugs especially under eaves and on cliffs

Illustration of cliff swallow

Illustration of cliff swallow

Examples of cliff swallow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since last week, 16 species of North American land birds have been spotted in Britain and Ireland, including several species of warblers, one northern parula, 10 cliff swallows and three Baltimore orioles, Dr. Lees said. — Derrick Bryson Taylor, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2023 At the end of the summer, Southern California waves goodbye to migrating cliff swallows, hooded orioles, and black-headed grosbeaks. — Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cliff swallow was in 1823

Rhymes for cliff swallow

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Browse Nearby Words

Cliffside Park
cliff swallow
clift
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Cite this Entry

“Cliff swallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cliff%20swallow. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cliff swallow

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