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Definition of oropendola
oropendola
/ˌɔːrəˈpɛndələ/
o · ro · pen · do · la
Plural:oropendolas
oropendola Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
oropendola Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
Any of several large tropical American passerine birds of the New World blackbird family (Icteridae), notable for their sharply pointed bills, prominent yellow tail feathers, and the elaborate, long pendulous nests they weave in colonies.
Example
"During the expedition to Costa Rica, the ornithologists observed a colony of Montezuma oropendolas weaving their spectacular pouch-like nests high in the canopy."
Word Origin & Etymology
From American Spanish 'oropéndola', applied to these birds because of their yellow plumage elements and pendulous nests. It originates from the Spanish word for the golden oriole, deriving from Late Latin 'auripendulus' (meaning 'golden-hanging'), from 'aurum' (gold) + 'pendulus' (hanging).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Oropendola. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/oropendola