chickadee

noun

chick·​a·​dee ˈchi-kə-(ˌ)dē How to pronounce chickadee (audio)
: any of several small North American oscine birds (genus Poecile of the family Paridae) that are related to the titmice, usually have the crown of the head distinctly darker than the body, and have sometimes been placed especially formerly in a related genus (Parus)

Examples of chickadee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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And the way that a chickadee combines these sounds changes the meaning. Sofia Marie Haley, The Conversation, 27 May 2025 Some backyard farmers have crafted tables by hand and put them inside their coop as an alternate feeder, while others string up as bird feeders for the chickadees to enjoy a picnic table-style potluck. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 May 2025 The extensive vocal repertoire of mountain chickadees has yet to be fully documented. Sofia Marie Haley, The Conversation, 27 May 2025 Other cavity nesters such as woodpeckers will make holes in trees, and those can also be adopted by tree swallows, flickers, kestrels and chickadees. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for chickadee

Word History

Etymology

imitative

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chickadee was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Chickadee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chickadee. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

chickadee

noun
chick·​a·​dee ˈchik-ə-(ˌ)dē How to pronounce chickadee (audio)
: any of several small North American birds with the top of the head black or brown

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