meadowlark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowformal, literary, ornithological, regional
Quick answer
What does “meadowlark” mean?
A medium-sized songbird, typically found in grasslands and meadows, known for its melodious song and often having a yellow breast with a black V-shaped marking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized songbird, typically found in grasslands and meadows, known for its melodious song and often having a yellow breast with a black V-shaped marking.
The term can extend metaphorically to represent pastoral beauty, natural harmony, or a cheerful, rural spirit. In specific contexts (e.g., North American baseball), it may refer to a team name.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Meadowlark' is rarely used in British English as a common name for native birds. It is primarily a North American term. In the UK, similar birds might be called 'skylark' or simply 'lark'.
Connotations
In American English, it connotes the rural American prairie or farmland. In British English, it sounds like an Americanism or a technical ornithological term.
Frequency
High frequency in relevant American contexts (e.g., nature writing, regional names); very low to zero in everyday British English.
Grammar
How to Use “meadowlark” in a Sentence
The meadowlark sang.We spotted a meadowlark in the field.The call is characteristic of the meadowlark.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meadowlark” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This term is not used as a verb.
American English
- This term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The meadowlark population has declined.
- A meadowlark song echoed.
American English
- The meadowlark's call is distinctive.
- We followed a meadowlark trail.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except potentially in brand names (e.g., Meadowlark Farms).
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and environmental science texts.
Everyday
Used in North American rural or suburban areas, and in nature discussions.
Technical
Used as a specific taxon in zoology; refers to Sturnella neglecta (Western) or Sturnella magna (Eastern).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meadowlark”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meadowlark”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meadowlark”
- Misspelling as 'meadow lark' (two words is acceptable but less common as a compound).
- Using it to refer to any small bird in a field.
- Assuming it is common in Europe.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Meadowlarks (genus Sturnella) are New World birds in the blackbird family (Icteridae). Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) are Old World birds in the lark family (Alaudidae). They are not closely related.
No, meadowlarks are not native to the UK. The term is an American import and would only be found in zoos, specific bird collections, or in reference to American contexts.
The name is descriptive: it is a bird of meadows and fields ('meadow') with a song reminiscent of true larks ('lark'), though it is not a true lark taxonomically.
It is most commonly written as one word ('meadowlark'), though the two-word form ('meadow lark') is also seen and is acceptable. Dictionaries typically list the compound form.
A medium-sized songbird, typically found in grasslands and meadows, known for its melodious song and often having a yellow breast with a black V-shaped marking.
Meadowlark is usually formal, literary, ornithological, regional in register.
Meadowlark: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛdəʊˌlɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛdoʊˌlɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Happy as a meadowlark (regional American variant of 'happy as a lark')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LARK singing in a MEADOW = MEADOWLARK.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEADOWLARK IS A SYMBOL OF UNSPOILED NATURE / RURAL SIMPLICITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'meadowlark' most appropriately used?