1
a
: a swift-footed 2-toed flightless ratite bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa that is the largest of existing birds and often weighs 300 pounds (140 kilograms)
b
: rhea
c
: leather made from ostrich skin
2
[from the belief that the ostrich when pursued hides its head in the sand and believes itself to be unseen]
: one who attempts to avoid danger or difficulty by refusing to face it
Examples of ostrich in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The garment was accompanied by another salmon pink item, an ostrich feather jacket featuring voluminous sleeves.
—
Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Native to the savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, ostriches have evolved not for flight, but for speed and endurance.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
The footage shows Johnson sticking his hand out of the car and appearing to call the ostrich over as one of his three children leans toward the window.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The ostrich made its way over to the car Johnson was driving, then the bird quickly stuck its head through the window for a peck at Johnson’s arm.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostrich
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Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Native to the savannas and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, ostriches have evolved not for flight, but for speed and endurance.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
The footage shows Johnson sticking his hand out of the car and appearing to call the ostrich over as one of his three children leans toward the window.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The ostrich made its way over to the car Johnson was driving, then the bird quickly stuck its head through the window for a peck at Johnson’s arm.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ostrich
Cite this Entry
“Ostrich.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ostrich. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ostrich
noun
os·trich
ˈäs-trich 
ˈȯs-
1
: a very large bird of Africa that often weighs as much as 300 pounds (140 kilograms), runs very quickly but cannot fly, and has large wing and tail feathers used especially formerly in dusters and fans and to adorn hats and clothing
2
: one who tries to avoid danger by refusing to face it
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