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Definition of woodswallow
woodswallow
/ˈwʊdˌswɑːloʊ/
wood · swal · low
Plural:woodswallows
woodswallow Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
woodswallow Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
Australian Any of several Australasian passerine birds of the genus Artamus, characterized by broad wings, a highly aerial lifestyle for catching insects, and a unique habit of roosting in tightly packed clusters.
Example
"During our hike through the eucalyptus forest, we spotted a flock of dusky woodswallows soaring overhead in pursuit of flying insects."
Word Nuance & Usage
Despite their name and similar appearance, woodswallows are not true swallows; they belong to the family Artamidae and are closely related to butcherbirds and currawongs.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 19th century from 'wood' and 'swallow', reflecting their common presence in open woodlands and their swallow-like aerial insect-hunting behavior.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Woodswallow. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/woodswallow