wren

noun

ˈren 

1

: any of a family (Troglodytidae) of small typically brownish oscine singing birds

especially : a very small widely distributed bird (Troglodytes troglodytes) that has a short erect tail and is noted for its song

2

: any of various small singing birds resembling the true wrens in size and habits

Illustration of wren

• wren 1

Examples of wren in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Small Twigs: Cardinals, blue jays, and house wrens use fine twigs to build their nests. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2025

Potential Problems Due to Bird Nesting Sparrows, wrens, blue jays, mallards, starlings, doves, and pigeons are just a few types of birds that commonly nest near humans. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2025

Our guide, Mark Vincent from Door County Adventure Center, dropped dad jokes in between sightings of great blue herons, bald eagles, and wrens in the sedge grass. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025

One species—the superb fairy wren of Australasia—lures predators away from their young by making darting movements and squeaky sounds to imitate the behavior of a delectable mouse. —Harvey Whitehouse, WIRED, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wrenne, from Old English wrenna; akin to Old High German rentilo wren

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wren

• cactus wren
• Carolina wren

Rhymes for wren

• ben
• bren
• chen
• den
• en
• gen
• glen
• hen
• jen
• ken
• men
• pen

Kids Definition

wren

noun

ˈren 

1

: any of a family of small mostly brown singing birds with short rounded wings and a short tail that points upward

2

: any of various small singing birds resembling the true wrens in size and habits

Biographical Definition

Wren

biographical name

ˈren 

Sir Christopher 1632–1723 English architect