tyrant flycatcher

noun

: any of a large family (Tyrannidae) of American flycatchers that are usually strictly insectivorous and have a flattened bill often hooked at the tip and usually bristly at the gape

Examples of tyrant flycatcher 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.
Tyrannulet refers to a small member of the tyrant flycatcher family, tyrant touching the aggressive nature of these birds. Beardless? Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 8 Sep. 2020 Swallows, gulls and terns, crows, blackbirds and orioles, tyrant flycatchers and parids—all practice mobbing. Lance Morrow, WSJ, 6 July 2018 This is one of more than 400 species known as tyrant flycatchers that are found throughout the United States. Ernie Cowan, sandiegouniontribune.com, 19 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1783, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tyrant flycatcher was circa 1783

Dictionary Entries Near tyrant flycatcher

Cite this Entry

“Tyrant flycatcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tyrant%20flycatcher. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on tyrant flycatcher

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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