roadrunner

noun

road·​run·​ner ˈrōd-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce roadrunner (audio)
: a largely terrestrial bird (Geococcyx californianus) of the cuckoo family that has a long tail and a crest, is a speedy runner, and inhabits arid regions from the southwestern U.S. to Mexico
also : a closely related bird (G. velox) of Mexico and Central America

Illustration of roadrunner

Illustration of roadrunner

Examples of roadrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even at a club able to sign just about any roadrunner on the transfer market, the Croatian remains the gold standard for his club and country in this facet. Henry Flynn, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: The greater roadrunner can catch speeds up to 15 miles per hour. Jessica Boehm, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024 Few people reading this story will ever see a Florida grasshopper sparrow, a small, brown, drab bird with behaviors of a ghost, a roadrunner and something else. Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2024 The area has famously left its mark on Gram Parsons, Victoria Williams, U2, and the Warner Brothers roadrunner, whose startling but melodic meep-meep echoes in our memories. Alexandra Sanidad, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for roadrunner 

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of roadrunner was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near roadrunner

Cite this Entry

“Roadrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadrunner. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

roadrunner

noun
road·​run·​ner ˈrō-ˌdrən-ər How to pronounce roadrunner (audio)
: a long-tailed ground-dwelling bird of the southwestern U.S. that usually travels by running

called also chaparral bird, chaparral cock

More from Merriam-Webster on roadrunner

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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