birdnest

1.3

A nest that birds build to hold eggs and raise their young

noun
/ˈbɜrdˌnɛst/

: nido de aves

The robin built a cozy birdnest high in the oak tree to lay her eggs.

Examples

The children were excited to spot a birdnest with tiny chicks in it.
We found a birdnest in the garden, carefully hidden among the leaves.
I used to run a heavy crane at one time when we were still building things. Anyone ever see what happens when those 3/4 inch wire ropes 'birdnest' when the weakest wire snaps?

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Synonyms

nest

vsbirdnest

219 1.0

A place birds or animals make to lay eggs and raise their young

is narrower, referring only to structures made by flying animals

bird's nest

vsbirdnest

3 1.0

A small home a bird builds to lay eggs and raise its young

is the same meaning but written in a possessive form

bird nest

vsbirdnest

1 1.0

A place where a bird lays eggs and takes care of its baby birds

is the same meaning but written as a single joined word

Surface Forms

birdnest singular

birdnests plural

Morphology

birdnest = bird + nest (transparent) = bird + nest

The meaning is directly derived from the combination of 'bird' and 'nest', indicating a nest built by birds.

Etymology

Birdnest is simply made from bird and nest, and it means the 'home' a bird builds for its eggs and chicks. Picture a small cup of twigs high in a tree holding eggs — that image helps you remember the meaning.