cliff swallow

noun

any of several North American birds of the genus Hirundo, especially H. pyrrhonota, that live colonially and build bottle-shaped mud nests on cliffs and walls.

Origin of cliff swallow

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25

Words nearby cliff swallow

clientele, clifden nonpareil, cliff, cliff brake, cliff dweller, cliff swallow, cliff-hang, cliff-hanging, cliffhanger, clifford, clifford trust

Example sentences from the Web for cliff swallow

  • The cliff-swallow, strange emigrant, that eastward takes his way, has come and gone again in my time.

    My Garden Acquaintance |James Russell Lowell

  • Most of the monsoon broods of the Indian cliff-swallow emerge from the eggs in August.

    A Bird Calendar for Northern India |Douglas Dewar

  • The barn swallow is heard first, followed in a day or two by the squeaking of the cliff-swallow.

    Wake-Robin |John Burroughs

British Dictionary definitions for cliff swallow

cliff swallow

noun

an American swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, that has a square-tipped tail and builds nests of mud on cliffs, walls, etc