ostrich

noun

os·​trich ˈä-strich 

ˈȯ-,

 also  -strij

1

a

: a swift-footed 2-toed flightless ratite bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa that is the largest of existing birds and often weighs 300 pounds (140 kilograms)

b

: rhea

c

: leather made from ostrich skin

2

[from the belief that the ostrich when pursued hides its head in the sand and believes itself to be unseen] : one who attempts to avoid danger or difficulty by refusing to face it

ostrichlike

ˈä-strich-ˌlīk 

ˈȯ-

 also  -strij-

adjective

Examples of ostrich in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wednesday's cartoons - the ostrich problem, Biden's thing, and more Newsletter sign up By The Week US published 19 June 2024 Subscribe to The Week Escape your echo chamber. —The Week Us, theweek, 19 June 2024

There's a royal reason that Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla are sporting ostrich feathers in their hats! —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 June 2024

All are members of a group called the ratites, which includes ostriches, rheas, and emus who are also giant flightless birds. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 June 2024

Animals that live in Adventure Africa today include elephants, giraffes, hippos, impala, eastern bongo, ostriches, African crested Guineafowl and East African crowned cranes. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ostriz, ostrige, from Vulgar Latin *avis struthio, from Latin avis bird + Late Latin struthio ostrich — more at struthious

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ostrich

• ostrich fern

Kids Definition

ostrich

noun

os·​trich ˈäs-trich 

ˈȯs-

1

: a very large bird of Africa that often weighs as much as 300 pounds (140 kilograms), runs very quickly but cannot fly, and has large wing and tail feathers used especially formerly in dusters and fans and to adorn hats and clothing

2

: one who tries to avoid danger by refusing to face it