noun
thunderbird
THUHN-duh-burd
noun
1
A giant, storm-bringing bird from Indigenous North American mythology, said to create thunder with its wingbeats and lightning with its eyes.
"Legend says the thunderbird's wings stir up storms whenever it takes flight."
"Totem poles in the Pacific Northwest often feature a carved thunderbird at the top."
2
The golden whistler, a small yellow-and-black Australian songbird, sometimes called this informally.
"Birdwatchers spotted a thunderbird singing from the eucalyptus canopy."
How to Use Thunderbird
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA legendary giant bird associated with storms in Native American folklore; also an informal name for a small Australian songbird.
Common pairings
thunderbird spirit
thunderbird totem
thunderbird legend
Word Forms
thunderbirds plural
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Legend says the _____'s wings stir up storms whenever it takes flight.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of thunder and bird, translating names used in various Indigenous North American languages for this mythic creature.