yellowhammer

noun

yel·​low·​ham·​mer ˈye-lō-ˌha-mər How to pronounce yellowhammer (audio)
ˈye-lə-
1
: a common Palearctic finch (Emberiza citrinella of the family Emberizidae) having the male largely yellow and chestnut

called also yellow bunting

2

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

Dictionary Entries Near yellowhammer

Cite this Entry

“Yellowhammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellowhammer. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

yellowhammer

noun
yel·​low·​ham·​mer ˈyel-ō-ˌham-ər How to pronounce yellowhammer (audio)
ˈyel-ə-

More from Merriam-Webster on yellowhammer

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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