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Definition of roadrunner

roadrunner

/ˈroʊdˌrʌn.ɚ/
road · run · ner
Plural:roadrunners
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roadrunner Lexical Profile

roadrunner Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A fast-running, long-tailed terrestrial bird of the cuckoo family (genus Geococcyx), native to the arid deserts and scrublands of southwestern North America and Central America.

Example

"While hiking through the Sonoran Desert, we spotted a roadrunner darting swiftly between the cacti."

• Nearby Words

riyadh
roach
road
roadrunner
roanoke
roanoke bass
roanoke river

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the mid-19th century from 'road' + 'runner', named for its habit of running rapidly along dirt roads and trails ahead of horses or vehicles rather than taking flight.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Roadrunner. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/roadrunner
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