bunting

1 of 3

noun (1)

bun·​ting ˈbən-tiŋ How to pronounce bunting (audio)
: any of various stout-billed passerine birds (families Cardinalidae and Emberizidae) of which some are grouped with the cardinal and some with the New World sparrows compare indigo bunting, painted bunting

bunting

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a lightweight loosely woven fabric used chiefly for flags and festive decorations
2
a
: flags
b
: decorations especially in the colors of the national flag

bunting

3 of 3

noun (3)

: an infant's hooded garment made of napped fabric

Examples of bunting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Five hundred girls from across Missouri arrive to campus amid the red, white and blue bunting and crepe-paper rolls. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024 My visit took place on a blustery day when a photograph by a visitor from Arlington, Trista Nealon, captured one of the buntings with its winged feathers delicately swept up by the gusts of wind. Richard B. Karel, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024 At the debate, the familiar trappings were present — red, white and blue bunting, lights, cameras, hordes of press, hangers-on and opposition spokespeople, including Gov. Gavin Newsom — but the tension of a nomination up for grabs was notably absent. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2023 In a bomb shelter festooned with Israeli flags and colorful plastic bunting, children who lost parents in the Hamas attacks on Israel danced, sang and ate jelly donuts, courtesy of a young Californian boy who forged an unlikely bond with the devastated community. NBC News, 16 Dec. 2023 Though it's made by Thule, this attractive, warm bunting is compatible with any stroller with a five-point harness. Maya Polton, Parents, 20 Oct. 2023 Edinburgh locals decorated their homes and businesses with bunting and banners like London did for the June 2 coronation day. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 30 June 2023 There were concrete statues of soldiers kneeling at crosses, patriotic bunting and images of the Founding Fathers, with facsimiles of the Declaration of Independence, the Ten Commandments and the Pledge of Allegiance nearby. Susan L Trollinger, The Conversation, 18 Oct. 2023 On Fair Saturday, Don DeWeese was on his porch at Cabin 32, a powder-blue two-story with white trim and patriotic bunting. Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

perhaps from English dialect bunt (to sift)

Noun (3)

term of endearment in the nursery rhyme "Bye, baby bunting"

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bunting was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bunting

Cite this Entry

“Bunting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bunting. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bunting

1 of 2 noun
bun·​ting ˈbənt-iŋ How to pronounce bunting (audio)
: any of various finches that are similar to sparrows in size and habits but have stout bills

bunting

2 of 2 noun
1
: a thin cloth used chiefly for making flags and patriotic decorations
2
: flags or decorations made of bunting
Etymology

Noun

Middle English buntynge "bunting"

Noun

possibly derived from a dialect word bunt "to sift (meal)"

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