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Definition of needletail
needletail
/ˈniːdəlˌteɪl/
nee · dle · tail
Plural:needletails
needletail Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of several large, fast-flying swifts (family Apodidae, particularly in the genus Hirundapus) native primarily to Asia and Australasia, characterized by stiff, sharp feather shafts that project like needles from the end of their tail.
Example
"The white-throated needletail is renowned among ornithologists as one of the fastest flying birds in level, powered flight."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for needletail• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'needle' and 'tail', so named because the central shafts of their tail feathers are stiff and project noticeably beyond the webbing, resembling small needles.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Needletail. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/needletail