sparrow

noun

spar·​row ˈsper-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
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 Passeridae) that are New World birds (such as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows
sparrowlike
ˈsper-(ˌ)ō-ˌlīk How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
-ə-ˌlīk;
ˈspa-(ˌ)rō-ˌlīk
-rə-ˌlīk
adjective

Examples of sparrow 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.
The casualties were mostly warblers, but also thrushes, sparrows and others. Vincent Alban, New York Times, 21 May 2025 The researchers caught migrating Gambel’s sparrows near Yosemite National Park, where the birds are known to rest during migration, and nonmigratory Nuttal’s sparrows north of San Francisco in the Marin Headlands. Elizabeth Landau, Quanta Magazine, 19 May 2025 Sunflowers Perhaps the best choice of flowers to make your garden attractive to birds are sunflowers, which according to Clarke provide shelter and food to birds, attracting multiple species, including finches, sparrows and chickadees. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 One day after publication, the sparrow took over, barging in and, as many a squatter does, taking over the property. Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sparrow

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sparrow was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sparrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparrow. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

sparrow

noun
spar·​row ˈspar-ō How to pronounce sparrow (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on sparrow

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