Tyrannidae

plural noun

Ty·​ran·​ni·​dae
tə̇ˈranəˌdē,
tīˈr-
: a large exclusively American family of birds that are most numerous in South and Central America but well represented in the U.S. and Canada, comprise the tyrant flycatchers, are mostly strictly insectivorous and take their prey on the wing, have a flattened bill often hooked at the tip and usually bristly at the gape, and with the pittas, cotingas, and related birds constitute a superfamily of the suborder Tyranni

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Tyrannus, type genus + -idae

The Ultimate Dicitonary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near Tyrannidae

Cite this Entry

“Tyrannidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tyrannidae. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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