noun
bustard
BUS-tud
Bustard (noun) means a large bird of dry open country and steppe in the Old World, belonging to the family Otididae. Example: “The bustard is a large bird that lives on open plains.”
noun
1
A large bird of dry open country and steppe in the Old World, belonging to the family Otididae.
"The bustard is a large bird that lives on open plains."
"We spotted a bustard walking across the dry grassland."
"Bustards are found in dry, open habitats."
How to use bustard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big bird that lives on dry open plains.
When to use it
It is a neutral zoological term.
Memory tip
Do not confuse it with bastard, which is a different word with a very different meaning.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
great bustard
houbara bustard
kori bustard
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The _____ is a large bird that lives on open plains.
Etymology
It comes from Middle English bustarde, ultimately from Old French forms and Latin avis tarda, meaning slow bird.
Rhymes for bustard
See all rhymes for bustard →Frequently asked questions
What is a bustard?
A bustard is a large bird of the family Otididae, found on the arid grasslands and plains of the Old World.
Are bustards slow birds?
No. The name comes from a Latin phrase meaning slow bird, but that is a misnomer because bustards are fast runners.
How do you pronounce bustard?
In British English it is pronounced roughly BUS-tud, with the stress on the first syllable.
What is the meaning of bustard?
"bustard" (noun) means a large bird of dry open country and steppe in the Old World, belonging to the family Otididae.
