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

Only a few birds–chicken, ostrich, and duck-like creatures–made it across the extinction line, giving rise to the dizzying array of modern birds: From songbirds to corvids to parrots. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 31 July 2024

The area, including greater Santa Ynez, boasts bucolic vineyards, farms, restaurants, olive trees, riding stables, a zipline, and even an ostrich farm to visit. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Hence, the founders developed the Gold capsule collection of bags reinterpreting bestsellers and signature styles in golden hues and opulent textures, ranging from ostrich and snake leathers to satin, further embellishing them with studs, crystals and beads. —Sandra Salibian, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024

One of them depicts an ostrich created around 1550 and attributed to Old Master heavyweight Titian. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 5 Aug. 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