bird's nest

American  

noun

1. nest.

2. Angling. backlash.

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bird's-nest British  

verb

1. (intr) to search for the nests of birds in order to collect the eggs

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Etymology

Origin of bird's nest

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Some ingredients commonly found in Chinese fine dining include qi-boosting gelatinous fish maw, collagen-rich bird’s nest and nutrient-dense sea cucumber.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025

It’s mostly not acceptable to go about daily life dressed as a matchbox or wearing a bird’s nest, rubbish, or lobster claws on one’s head, even if it is designed by Dior.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

Over in a dense patch of sweet peas, Ferguson pointed out an example of her “nature first” philosophy in the way she strategically cut the flowers to preserve the privacy of a bird’s nest.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2024

Her blonde locks are teased so high above her head that depending on who you ask, it looks like a bird's nest or a stratocumulus cloud.

From Salon • May 7, 2024

I glance down into the water, seeing myself, my hair a bird’s nest, bandage across half my head, dirtier than an old ewe.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness