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Definition of kingbird

kingbird

/ˈkɪŋ.bɜːrd/
Plural:kingbirds
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kingbird Lexical Profile

kingbird Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American Any of various aggressive, insectivorous New World flycatchers of the genus Tyrannus, native to the Americas and known for their highly territorial behavior, often attacking much larger predatory birds that enter their breeding grounds.

Example

"While walking through the meadow, the birdwatchers watched a fearless Eastern kingbird relentlessly dive-bomb a passing red-tailed hawk."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for kingbird

• Nearby Words

king penguin
king protea
king snake
kingbird
kingdom
kingfish
kingfisher

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in the late 17th century from the compounding of 'king' and 'bird'. The name likely alludes to the concealed, brightly colored crown-like patch of feathers on their heads, as well as their highly aggressive and domineering behavior in defending their territories against much larger birds.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kingbird. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 1, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kingbird
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