gizzard

noun

giz·​zard ˈgi-zərd 

1

a

: the muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for grinding the food and when the crop is present follows it and the proventriculus

b

: a thickened part of the digestive tract in some animals (such as an insect or an earthworm) that is similar in function to the crop of a bird

2

: innards

Examples of gizzard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result, the gizzards in your giblets may contain sand or sediment particles. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2024

The bag contains the turkey neck and giblets, which can include the heart, liver, kidneys, and gizzards. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2024

Sage grouse lack a muscular gizzard capable of grinding seeds, so their only use of agricultural fields is to feed on alfalfa. —Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 11 Jan. 2024

Channel cats can be caught on simple baits like white bread, cheese, or chicken gizzards, but as a rule of thumb, the smellier the bait the better. —Outdoor Life, 30 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English giser gizzard, liver, from Anglo-French gesir, giser, from Latin gigeria (plural) giblets

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gizzard

noun

giz·​zard ˈgiz-ərd 

: a large muscular part of the digestive tube (as of a bird or insect) which has a horny lining and in which food is churned and ground into small pieces

Medical Definition

gizzard

noun

giz·​zard ˈgiz-ərd 

: the muscular enlargement of the digestive tract of birds that has usually thick muscular walls and a tough horny lining for churning and grinding the food