sparrow
noun
spar·row
ˈsper-(ˌ)ō 
ˈspa-(ˌ)rō
1
: any of a genus (Passer of the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced
especially
: house sparrow
2
: any of numerous finches (family Passeridae) that are New World birds (such as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows
Examples of sparrow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most common songbirds or other birds like cardinals, robins, sparrows, blue jays, crows or pigeons, do not get infected with avian influenza viruses, according to the CDC.
—
Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024
Elf owls — nocturnal birds that measure between 4.5 and 5.5 inches, about the size of a sparrow — are native to the dry deserts of southwestern United States and northern Mexico and considered the world’s smallest owl species.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Overall, since 2022, the virus has been detected 372 times in wild birds in Michigan, including in ducks, sparrows, pigeons, starlings, swans, geese, eagles, loons, falcons, cranes, hawks, cormorants, owls and gulls.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024
Some local sparrows nesting in a hollow pole on our block sounded like Laurel and Hardy bickering.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
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Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024
Elf owls — nocturnal birds that measure between 4.5 and 5.5 inches, about the size of a sparrow — are native to the dry deserts of southwestern United States and northern Mexico and considered the world’s smallest owl species.
—Leslie Katz, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Overall, since 2022, the virus has been detected 372 times in wild birds in Michigan, including in ducks, sparrows, pigeons, starlings, swans, geese, eagles, loons, falcons, cranes, hawks, cormorants, owls and gulls.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024
Some local sparrows nesting in a hollow pole on our block sounded like Laurel and Hardy bickering.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sparrow
Dictionary Entries Near sparrow
Cite this Entry
“Sparrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparrow. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sparrow
noun
spar·row
ˈspar-ō
1
: any of several small songbirds that have usually brownish or grayish feathers and are related to the finches
especially
: house sparrow
2
: any of numerous finches (as the song sparrow) that resemble the true sparrows
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