song sparrow

noun

: a North American sparrow (Melospiza melodia of the family Passerellidae) that is brownish above and white below with brownish streaks on the breast and that has a melodious song

Examples of song sparrow 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.
There are fewer song sparrows cheeping amid the shrubs and grasses. — Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2026 These are cheerful and animated little birds, slightly larger than a song sparrow, measuring about 6 inches in body length and a wingspan of about 9 inches. — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025 Their dense, mounded shape provides excellent nesting habitat for robins, song sparrows, cardinals, brown thrashers, indigo buntings, and catbirds. — Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026 And bird watchers will be more than satisfied, whether listening to the vocalizations of Eastern bluebirds, Northern cardinals and blue jays in the morning, or song sparrows, mourning doves and Carolina wrens later in the day near sunset. — Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of song sparrow was in 1810

Rhymes for song sparrow

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Browse Nearby Words

songsmith
song sparrow
songster
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Cite this Entry

“Song sparrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/song%20sparrow. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

song sparrow

noun
: a common sparrow of North America that is brownish above and mostly white below and is noted for its sweet cheerful song

More from Merriam-Webster on song sparrow

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about song sparrow

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