ostrich

noun

os·​trich ˈä-strich 

ˈȯ-

also -strij

1

a

: a swift-footed 2-toed flightless ratite bird (Struthio camelus) of Africa that is the largest of existing birds and often weighs 300 pounds (140 kilograms)

b

: rhea

c

: leather made from ostrich skin

2

[from the belief that the ostrich when pursued hides its head in the sand and believes itself to be unseen] : one who attempts to avoid danger or difficulty by refusing to face it

ostrichlike

ˈä-strich-ˌlīk 

ˈȯ-

also -strij-

adjective

Examples of ostrich in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The emu is the second-largest living bird in the world after the ostrich, with adult females being larger and heavier than their male counterparts. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Cross the Santa Ynez River on horseback, feed towering ostriches and emus, and cuddle with farm animals. —Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026

The Wicked director came in with an ambitious plan that involved a dozen different settings, stunts, stars, an ostrich, a camel, and, yes, a scene at the water tank. —Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 23 Apr. 2026

Although not all species of bird can fly (sorry about that, ostriches), many birds do enjoy the power of flight, and this has permitted an almost unlimited diversification of birds, so that birds are now found virtually everywhere on Earth. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ostriz, ostrige, from Vulgar Latin *avis struthio, from Latin avis bird + Late Latin struthio ostrich — more at struthious

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ostrich

• ostrich fern

Kids Definition

ostrich

noun

os·​trich ˈäs-trich 

ˈȯs-

1

: a very large bird of Africa that often weighs as much as 300 pounds (140 kilograms), runs very quickly but cannot fly, and has large wing and tail feathers used especially formerly in dusters and fans and to adorn hats and clothing

2

: one who tries to avoid danger by refusing to face it