: any of various stout-billed passerine birds (families Cardinalidae and Emberizidae) of which some are grouped with the cardinal and some with the New World sparrows compare indigo bunting, painted bunting
1
: a lightweight loosely woven fabric used chiefly for flags and festive decorations
2
a
: flags
b
: decorations especially in the colors of the national flag
: an infant's hooded garment made of napped fabric
Examples of bunting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brooke Barbier,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Red, white and blue bunting is a staple of patriotic parades and front-porch decorations.
—
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2026
The American calendar permits itself one great summer exhale a year, and in 2026 it comes wrapped in bunting, jerseys worn for World Cup watch parties, and the country’s 250th birthday.
—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Rocking chairs, bunting, flags, and simple patriotic touches turn everyday spaces into patriotic hangouts.
—
Abby Price,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bunting
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Noun
The Patriots festooned their parties with banners and flags; thus, streamers, bunting or trendy flag banners in red, white, and blue would be an impeccable look.
—
Brooke Barbier,
PEOPLE,
3 July 2026
Red, white and blue bunting is a staple of patriotic parades and front-porch decorations.
—
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2026
The American calendar permits itself one great summer exhale a year, and in 2026 it comes wrapped in bunting, jerseys worn for World Cup watch parties, and the country’s 250th birthday.
—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Rocking chairs, bunting, flags, and simple patriotic touches turn everyday spaces into patriotic hangouts.
—
Abby Price,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bunting
Cite this Entry
“Bunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bunting. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bunting
1 of 2 noun
bun·ting
ˈbənt-iŋ 
: any of various finches that are similar to sparrows in size and habits but have stout bills
bunting
2 of 2 noun1
: a thin cloth used chiefly for making flags and patriotic decorations
2
: flags or decorations made of bunting
Etymology
Noun
Middle English buntynge "bunting"
Noun
possibly derived from a dialect word bunt "to sift (meal)"
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