sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈsper-(ˌ)ō 

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō

1

: any of a genus (Passer of the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (family Emberizidae) that are New World birds (such as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows

sparrowlike

ˈsper-(ˌ)ō-ˌlīk 

-ə-ˌlīk;

ˈspa-(ˌ)rō-ˌlīk

-rə-ˌlīk

adjective

Examples of sparrow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers observed 80 species of birds eating the insect, mainly robins and sparrows. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2024

In the story, a 5-year-old Jesus plays along a rushing stream and molds 12 sparrows out of clay down by the water. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 13 June 2024

Other desirable bird species that could inhabit the lagoon are Belding’s Savannah sparrow, which nests in dense stands of pickleweed, the California least tern, which prefers protected sandbars, and the coastal California gnatcatcher, an inhabitant of the coastal sage scrub. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2024

That really is something to think about next time a sparrow flies by. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 28 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sparow, from Old English spearwa; akin to Old High German sparo sparrow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sparrow

• chipping sparrow
• English sparrow
• grasshopper sparrow
• house sparrow
• song sparrow
• sparrow hawk
• tree sparrow
• white-crowned sparrow
• white-throated sparrow

Kids Definition

sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈspar-ō 

1

: any of several small songbirds that have usually brownish or grayish feathers and are related to the finches

especially : house sparrow

2

: any of numerous finches (as the song sparrow) that resemble the true sparrows