hummingbird

[ huhm-ing-burd ]

noun

1. a very small nectar-sipping New World bird of the family Trochilidae, characterized by the brilliant, iridescent plumage of the male, a slender bill, and narrow wings, the extremely rapid beating of which produces a humming humming sound: noted for their ability to hover and to fly upward, downward, and backward in a horizontal position.

hummingbird

/ ˈhʌmɪŋˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any very small American bird of the family Trochilidae, having a brilliant iridescent plumage, long slender bill, and wings specialized for very powerful vibrating flight: order Apodiformes

Word History and Origins

Origin of hummingbird¹

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35; humming + bird

Example Sentences

The country star talks about the traditionalism of her latest album, ‘Hummingbird,’ and the interaction with a heckler that spawned a viral video.

From Los Angeles Times

Awards in 2021, Pearce makes the artistic case for her position on her latest album, “Hummingbird,” a thoroughly down-home affair full of fiddle-laced tunes about love, home and whiskey.

From Los Angeles Times

One of “Hummingbird’s” high points is “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” an old-fashioned duet with Chris Stapleton.

From Los Angeles Times

“The garden goes dormant in the summer but doesn’t die. Drought-tolerant plants are survivors. The sugar bush, toyon, manzanita, coffee berry, ceanothus and hummingbird sage hold their vivid green color year-round,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He planted hummingbird sage after he read that it grows well in the shade of oak trees.

From Los Angeles Times