oriole

noun

ori·​ole ˈȯr-ē-ˌōl  -ē-əl 

1

: any of various usually brightly colored Old World passerine birds (family Oriolidae and especially genus Oriolus)

2

: any of various New World passerine birds (genus Icterus of the family Icteridae) of which the males are usually black and yellow or black and orange

Illustration of oriole

• oriole 2

Examples of oriole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Keep an eye out for chachalaca, green jays, Altamira orioles and the occasional rare avian visitor that wanders in from Mexico. —Pam Leblanc, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024

Some of the more colorful birds that can be seen here include the oriole; the hoopoe, which can be found in orchards and forests; and the beautiful European bee-eater, which nests in colonies on sandy banks along rivers. —David Escribano, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2024

In backyards, orioles were the most striking of our summer birds, golden wonders that visited hummingbird feeders. —Jack Gedney, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024

Their nutrient-rich berries are favorites for fruit-eating birds, including robins, thrushes, waxwings, and orioles. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin oriolus, from Medieval Latin, from Old French oriol, from Latin aureolus golden-colored, diminutive of aureus golden — more at aureus

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing oriole

• Baltimore oriole
• Bullock's oriole
• northern oriole

Kids Definition

oriole

noun

ori·​ole ˈōr-ē-ˌōl  ˈȯr- 

-ē-əl

1

: any of various usually brightly colored Old World birds related to the crows

2

: any of various New World birds that build hanging nests woven from various materials (as grass and leaves) and the males of which are usually black and yellow or orange and the females chiefly greenish or yellowish