rhea
noun
\ ˈrē-ə
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Definition of rhea
: either of two South American ratite birds (Rhea americana and Pterocnemia pennata of the family Rheidae) that resemble but are smaller than the African ostrich and that have three toes, a fully feathered head and neck, an undeveloped tail, and pale gray to brownish feathers that droop over the rump and back
Illustration of rhea
Examples of rhea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The celestial emu, which is found in Aboriginal traditions across Australia, shares nearly identical views and traditions with the Tupi people of Brazil and Bolivia, who see it as a celestial rhea, another large flightless bird. — Simon Cropper, Quartz, "Why do different cultures see such similar meanings in the stars?," 21 Aug. 2019 But as with some restaurants in Buenos Aires are giving choripán a makeover, like Los Infernales, with chorizo made from the tiny ostrich-ish rhea, and Chori, dedicated to modern takes on the sandwich. — Luke Darby, GQ, "The Choripán is Argentina's Perfect Answer to Street Food," 29 July 2017 Emus are a stately five to six feet (one to two meters) long, and cassowaries and greater rheas aren’t far behind. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "World’s Biggest Birds Are Stellar Dads and Unusual Lovers," 3 Sep. 2016 Today’s ostriches, rheas, and cassowaries are not substitutes for the terror birds, just as the fact that birds are living dinosaurs provides little solace for those who have the impossible wish of seeing a living Tyrannosaurus or Allosaurus. — Brian Switek, WIRED, "Terror Birds Ain’t What They Used to Be – A Titanis Take-Down," 12 Feb. 2011These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rhea.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for rhea
rhea
noun
\ ˈrē-ə
\
\
Kids Definition of rhea
: a tall flightless South American bird that resembles but is smaller than the ostrich