weaverbird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Natural History / Ornithological
Quick answer
What does “weaverbird” mean?
A small songbird of the family Ploceidae, found in Africa and Asia, known for constructing elaborate, intricately woven nests.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small songbird of the family Ploceidae, found in Africa and Asia, known for constructing elaborate, intricately woven nests.
A generic term for numerous species within the weaver family; metaphorically, anyone who weaves or constructs something with great skill and intricacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or meaning. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific. In both contexts, it evokes images of Africa, intricate craftsmanship, and nature documentaries.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects. More common in specific contexts like wildlife documentaries, birdwatching, or academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “weaverbird” in a Sentence
The weaverbird [verb: builds, weaves, nests] [prepositional phrase: in colonies, from grass].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weaverbird” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The weaverbird colony was a spectacle of avian architecture.
American English
- We observed weaverbird nests hanging over the safari camp's waterhole.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potential metaphorical use: 'He's a real weaverbird when it comes to networking,' implying intricate connection-building.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, and ecology papers discussing avian behavior, nest construction, or African fauna.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing birdwatching, travel to Africa, or nature documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in ornithology for birds of the family Ploceidae. Used in field guides and species classifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weaverbird”
- Misspelling as 'weaver bird' (two words) – the standard is one word or hyphenated. 'Weaverbird' is most common.
- Using it as a general term for any bird that builds a complex nest, rather than specifically for the Ploceidae family.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In ornithology, yes, they are essentially interchangeable. 'Weaver' is often the preferred short form in field guides and checklists.
The vast majority of weaverbird species are native to sub-Saharan Africa, with a smaller number found in tropical Asia.
Primarily for reproduction. The male weaves the nest to attract a female. The intricacy demonstrates his fitness and skill, and the structure protects eggs and chicks from predators and weather.
It's a low-frequency, specialist term. In everyday conversation, you might simply say 'a bird that weaves nests' or, if the context is clear, just 'weaver'. The full term is most appropriate in educational or scientific discussions.
A small songbird of the family Ploceidae, found in Africa and Asia, known for constructing elaborate, intricately woven nests.
Weaverbird is usually technical / natural history / ornithological in register.
Weaverbird: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwiːvəˌbɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwiːvərˌbɜːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BIRD that WEAVES a nest. The word itself is a compound: WEAVER + BIRD.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD IS A TEXT / CREATION IS WEAVING. A weaverbird is an archetype of a skilled artisan, weaving a complex structure (its nest) from simple materials.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a weaverbird?