yellowhammer

noun

yel·low·ham·mer ˈye-lō-ˌha-mər

ˈye-lə-

: a common Palearctic finch (Emberiza citrinella of the family Emberizidae) having the male largely yellow and chestnut

called also yellow bunting

: yellow-shafted flicker

Examples of yellowhammer 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.

Nearly five million people live in Alabama, which takes its state nickname from the name of its state bird, the yellowhammer. —

Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 7 June 2020

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier yelambre, from Middle English *yelwambre, from yelwe yellow + *ambre yellowhammer, from Old English amore; akin to Old High German amaro yellowhammer, amari emmer

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of yellowhammer was in 1538

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Yellowhammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellowhammer. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

yellowhammer

noun

yel·low·ham·mer ˈyel-ō-ˌham-ər

ˈyel-ə-

: yellow-shafted flicker

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yellowhammer

noun

Examples of yellowhammer in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near yellowhammer

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition