aviary

noun

avi·​ary ˈā-vē-ˌer-ē How to pronounce aviary (audio)
-ˌe-rē
plural aviaries
: a place for keeping birds confined

Examples of aviary in a Sentence

The zoo has a new outdoor aviary.
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.
Murphy, a 33-year-old male bald eagle, was found dead in his aviary after severe storms swept through the St. Louis Area. Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025 But following a series of violent storms and tornadoes that swept through the St. Louis region, Murphy was found dead in his aviary March 15, according to the World Bird Sanctuary. Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025 Adding to the mystery is the fact that his three aviary mates are alive and in good health, and the aviary itself did not sustain any damage during the storms. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025 Whenever the other eagles in the aviary came near his rock and its nest, Murphy would scream and charge at them, the sanctuary wrote. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aviary

Word History

Etymology

Latin aviarium, from avis bird; akin to Greek aetos eagle

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aviary was in 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aviary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aviary. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

aviary

noun
avi·​ary ˈā-vē-ˌer-ē How to pronounce aviary (audio)
plural aviaries
: a place (as a large cage or a building) where many live birds are kept usually for exhibition
Etymology

from Latin aviarium "place to keep birds," from avis "bird"

More from Merriam-Webster on aviary

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