starling

noun

star·​ling ˈstär-liŋ How to pronounce starling (audio)
: any of a family (Sturnidae, especially genus Sturnus) of usually dark gregarious oscine birds
especially : a dark brown or in summer glossy greenish-black European bird (S. vulgaris) naturalized nearly worldwide and often considered a pest

Examples of starling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Within moments, someone pointed out a starling flitting across the hazy sky. — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 The perch is a little too small for bigger birds like mourning doves, and my voracious flock of starlings is often cut off. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026 Large populations of crows, grackles, and starlings appear on your lawn. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 20 May 2026 Picture murmurations of starlings staining the sky like ink drops or flocks of sheep flowing like liquid. — Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for starling

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English stærlinc, from stær starling + -ling, -linc -ling; akin to Old High German stara starling, Latin sturnus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of starling was before the 12th century

Rhymes for starling

See All Rhymes for starling

Browse Nearby Words

star lily
starling
starling's-egg green
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Starling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

starling

noun
star·​ling ˈstär-liŋ How to pronounce starling (audio)
: any of a family of usually dark-colored birds that tend to flock together
especially : a dark brown or in summer glossy greenish black European bird that has been brought to the U.S. and is often considered a pest

More from Merriam-Webster on starling

Nglish: Translation of starling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about starling

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