plural thrushes
: any of numerous small or medium-sized passerine birds (family Turdidae and especially subfamily Turdinae) which are mostly of a plain color often with spotted underparts and many of which are excellent singers
For most backyard birders, thrushes tend to fly under the radar. But you may be more familiar with this varied group than you realize. Although they may not look it, American robins and bluebirds are both part of the thrush bird family. … Six species of thrushes with brown backs and spotted chests live in forests across North America.—
Kenn Kaufman and Kimberly Kaufman
see also song thrush, waterthrush, wood thrush
Kenn Kaufman and Kimberly Kaufman1
: a disease that is caused by a fungus (Candida albicans), occurs especially in infants and children, and is marked by white patches in the oral cavity
2
: a suppurative disorder of the feet in various animals (such as a horse)
Examples of thrush in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Colson Thayer, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
For six months in 2022, Sharp, then 47, suffered from thrush—a common fungal infection that affects 75 percent of women in their lives.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Learn how to attract these migratory thrushes your yard using native plants.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025
Some say that the male’s song is the most beautiful of all the thrushes.
—Matt Kracht, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thrush
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Noun
This resulted in thrush, infections and maggots in many of the horses’ feet.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
For six months in 2022, Sharp, then 47, suffered from thrush—a common fungal infection that affects 75 percent of women in their lives.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Learn how to attract these migratory thrushes your yard using native plants.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025
Some say that the male’s song is the most beautiful of all the thrushes.
—Matt Kracht, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thrush
Cite this Entry
“Thrush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thrush. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
thrush
noun1
: a disease that is caused by a fungus of the genus Candida (C. albicans), occurs especially in infants and children, and is marked by white patches in the oral cavity
2
: a suppurative disorder of the feet in various animals (as the horse)
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