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wheatear

noun
wheat·​ear | \ ˈhwēt-ˌir How to pronounce wheatear (audio) , ˈwēt-\

Definition of wheatear

: any of various small thrushes (genus Oenanthe) especially : a white-rumped one (O. oenanthe) of northern North America and the Old World

Examples of wheatear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Northern wheatears are robin-size songbirds with tan bodies and handsome black eye bands. — Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska’s northern wheatears are about to embark on a remarkable journey," 10 Aug. 2019 Another German scientist in 2010 studied the wheatears now staging in Wales. — Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska’s northern wheatears are about to embark on a remarkable journey," 10 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wheatear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of wheatear

1591, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for wheatear

back-formation from earlier wheatears wheatear, probably by folk etymology or euphemism from white + arse

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More from Merriam-Webster on wheatear

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with wheatear

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wheatear

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