Definition of hummingbird in English:
hummingbird
nounˈhʌmɪŋbəːdˈhəmɪŋˌbərd
A small nectar-feeding tropical American bird that is able to hover and fly backwards, and typically has colourful iridescent plumage.
Family Trochilidae: many genera and numerous species
Example sentencesExamples
- Without the ability to hover, hummingbirds would not be able to obtain nectar from flowers.
- The principal characteristic that sets hummingbirds apart from all other birds is their mode of flight.
- Like other birds, hummingbirds communicate through both auditory and visual signals.
- Nectar-producing plants are very popular for attracting hummingbirds and orioles.
- Thus, hummingbirds represent an ideal system in which to gain understanding of how animals achieve energy balance.
Origin
Mid 17th century: so named because of the humming sound produced by the rapid vibration of the bird's wings.
Definition of hummingbird in US English:
hummingbird
nounˈhəmiNGˌbərdˈhəmɪŋˌbərd
A small nectar-feeding tropical American bird that is able to hover and fly backward, typically having colorful iridescent plumage.
Family Trochilidae: many genera and numerous species, including the ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) of the eastern US, and the red-crowned Anna's hummingbird (Calypte anna), found chiefly along the Pacific coast of the US
Example sentencesExamples
- Nectar-producing plants are very popular for attracting hummingbirds and orioles.
- Like other birds, hummingbirds communicate through both auditory and visual signals.
- The principal characteristic that sets hummingbirds apart from all other birds is their mode of flight.
- Without the ability to hover, hummingbirds would not be able to obtain nectar from flowers.
- Thus, hummingbirds represent an ideal system in which to gain understanding of how animals achieve energy balance.
Origin
Mid 17th century: so named because of the humming sound produced by the rapid vibration of the bird's wings.