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Definition of waterthrush

waterthrush

/ˈwɑːtərˌθrʌʃ/
wa · ter · thrush
Plural:waterthrushes
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waterthrush Lexical Profile

waterthrush Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A small New World warbler of the genus Parkesia, native to the Americas, characterized by its brownish plumage, heavily streaked underparts, and habit of walking along the edges of streams and wooded swamps while continuously bobbing its tail.

Example

"The birdwatcher carefully observed a Northern waterthrush foraging for aquatic insects along the muddy banks of the woodland stream."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for waterthrush

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite its name, the waterthrush is actually a New World warbler (family Parulidae) rather than a true thrush.

• Nearby Words

watersnake
watersports
waterspout
waterthrush
watertight
watertightness
watertown

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined as a compound of 'water' and 'thrush', reflecting its preference for aquatic, wooded habitats and its superficial resemblance to the spotted plumage of true thrushes.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Waterthrush. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/waterthrush
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