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Definition of baltimore oriole
baltimore oriole
Plural:baltimore orioles
baltimore oriole Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A small migratory songbird native to North America, belonging to the blackbird family, distinguished by the striking black, white, and vivid orange plumage of the male.
Example
"During our morning birdwatching hike, we spotted a brilliant male Baltimore oriole weaving its pendulous nest in the high branches of an elm tree."
Word Nuance & Usage
Note that the Baltimore oriole is not a true Old World oriole, but rather belongs to the New World blackbird family (Icteridae).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named after George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, whose family's heraldic coat of arms featured the same distinctive black and gold/orange colors found on the male bird's plumage.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Baltimore oriole. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/baltimore oriole