emu

1 of 2

noun

ˈē-(ˌ)myü 

-mü

: a swift-running Australian ratite bird (Dromaius novaehollandiae) with undeveloped wings that is smaller than the ostrich

Illustration of emu

emu

2 of 2

abbreviation

electromagnetic unit

Examples of emu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a statement shared by the zoo, officials confirmed that a 21-year-old female emu named Adam died during the storm. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Extreme weather with hail as large as softballs hit a zoo in Missouri on Tuesday, April 28, killing a female emu and injuring a male rhea. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Cassowaries are the only members of the family Casuariidae and belong to the order Casuariiformes, which also includes the emu. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

According to the National Zoo, emus are also fast runners, capable of reaching speeds up to 31 mph as their long legs enable them to walk considerable distances or outrun danger (or the police). —Hunter Geisel, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

modification of Portuguese ema cassowary

First Known Use

Noun

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for emu

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

emu

noun

ˈē-myü

: a swift-running Australian bird with undeveloped wings that is related to but smaller than the ostrich