bird-of-paradise

1 of 2

noun

bird-of-par·​a·​dise ˈbərd-əv-ˈper-ə-ˌdīs How to pronounce bird-of-paradise (audio)
-ˌdīz,
- ˈpa-rə-
: an ornamental plant (Strelitzia reginae of the family Strelitziaceae) native to southern Africa that has scapes terminating in a horizontal bract from which emerges an upright flower having three orange or yellow sepals and three irregular blue petals

bird of paradise

2 of 2

noun phrase

: any of numerous brilliantly colored plumed oscine birds (family Paradisaeidae) chiefly of New Guinea and neighboring islands

Examples of bird-of-paradise in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Though the typical clutch size shifts according to species, smaller birds-of-paradise tend to lay two to three eggs at a time and larger birds-of-paradise tend to lay one. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2023 Instead, try Taylor’s suggestions: large-scale, easy-to-maintain plants like birds-of-paradise and bamboo palms. Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 20 Apr. 2023 This equatorial region stretches from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn, and it's overgrown with orchids, bougainvillea, and birds-of-paradise — not to mention the sugarcane that keeps resort bars stocked in rum. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2023 In one instance, Laman's work provided corroboration for a DNA study which identified a distinct species of bird-of-paradise. Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
Noun phrase
Making themselves at home, hooded orioles will use hummingbird feeders and make woven nests out of plants, such as large birds of paradise and banana trees, Burns said, both of which grow well in San Diego. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 Sofía Vergara, as beautifully exotic as a bird of paradise, was an invaluable — and very funny — member of ABC’s Modern Family ensemble for 11 seasons. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024 The Insecure actor arrived at the event looking like a literal bird of paradise in a feathered and crystal-embellished champagne Pamela Roland gown. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 16 Jan. 2024 Wide fronds and birds of paradise made their tents almost invisible to passing cars. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Dec. 2023 Looking surprised by her own impulsivity, the wingless bird of paradise giggle-fusses over our felled friend until a bouncer muscles in to disentangle them. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 8 Nov. 2023 The same gold ribbon woven through the Christmas tree is wrapped around the bird of paradise plant's pot. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2023 With a name inspired by a bird taking flight, bird of paradise is a tropical plant standout. Medgina Saint-Elien, House Beautiful, 7 July 2023 For the record, the dinner-only eatery was named after the genus of a species of six birds of paradise. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird-of-paradise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1874, in the meaning defined above

Noun Phrase

1569, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bird-of-paradise was in 1569

Dictionary Entries Near bird-of-paradise

bird of paradise

bird-of-paradise

bird of passage

Cite this Entry

“Bird-of-paradise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird-of-paradise. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bird-of-paradise

1 of 2 noun
: a plant from southern Africa that has a colorful flower head resembling the head of a bird with a crest

bird of paradise

2 of 2
: any of numerous brilliantly colored birds of the New Guinea area that often have large graceful tail feathers and are related to the crows

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