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Definition of song sparrow
song sparrow
Plural:song sparrows
song sparrow Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A medium-sized New World sparrow native to North America, recognizable by its heavily streaked breast with a central dark spot and its complex, melodious song.
Example
"While walking through the brushy wetland, the ornithology students stopped to document a song sparrow trilling loudly from a low branch."
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name, coined in the late 18th century, directly references the bird's prominent, complex, and highly melodious vocalizations compared to other sparrows.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Song sparrow. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/song sparrow