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Glite Dictionary
king of birds

king of birds

7.1
A bird like an eagle that stands for power and nobility
  • noun
translation icon : rey de las aves
  • The mighty king of birds soared above the mountain peaks, surveying its domain.

Examples

  • Throughout history, the eagle has been called the king of birds in literature and art.

  • The eagle is often referred to as the king of birds.

  • Many national emblems feature the king of birds to represent strength and freedom.

  • Many cultures view the eagle as the king of birds due to its majestic presence.

  • The eagle is admired as the king of birds for its incredible wingspan and hunting skills.

  • In many cultures, the king of birds symbolizes freedom and high aspirations.

  • The national flag features the majestic king of birds to evoke pride and strength.

Synonyms

eagle
vsking of birds
121 1.0

A large bird of prey with sharp talons and very good eyesight

is a figurative term that highlights power and noble symbolism
bird of Jove
vsking of birds
  • Archaic
9.9

A poetic name for an eagle that often stands for power

is a figurative title stressing power and noble symbolism

How Majestic

king of birds
7.1
bird
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

king of birds singular
kings of birds plural

Morphology

king + of + bird

The meaning is directly derivable from 'king' (the foremost/powerful one) + 'of' + 'birds' (the class), yielding 'the most prominent or powerful bird'—a sense B1 learners can infer from the parts. The 'king of X' construction is a common, cross-linguistic way to express dominance, so the figurative reference to the eagle is transparent.

Etymology

King of birds comes from the image of the eagle as the strongest, highest bird in the sky, seen as a king among birds who stands above the rest. That's why the phrase is used as a symbol of 'power' and 'nobility'.