bird's-eye view

noun

1
: a view from a high angle as if seen by a bird in flight
2
: an overall or cursory look at something

Examples of bird's-eye view in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Admire it from a distance, walk across it for free, or climb it to savor a bird's-eye view of Sydney. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2023 Dagne Dover's Mila toiletry organizer takes the Dopp kit to another level with a vertical design that gives you a bird's-eye view of your essentials. Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Feb. 2023 While the rest of Sonoma soaks up the sun inland, Fort Ross Vineyard floats over the chill of coastal fog, affording a bird's-eye view of the property's vines, forests, meadows, and the spectacular Pacific Ocean in the distance. Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2023 Photos taken Tuesday by Maxar Technologies, a U.S. defense contractor headquartered in Colorado, show a bird's-eye view of several Turkish towns before and after the temblors, which have claimed the lives at least 11,000 people. Aina J. Khan, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for bird's-eye view 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird's-eye view.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bird's-eye view was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near bird's-eye view

Cite this Entry

“Bird's-eye view.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%27s-eye%20view. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!