murmuration
Say it: mur-muh-RAY-shun /ˌmɜːmjʊˈreɪʃən/ · noun
What “murmuration” means
A large flock of starlings swirling together in the sky.
More precisely: A huge flock of starlings swirling together in shifting shapes across the sky.
Example: “Commuters stopped on the bridge to watch the murmuration over the pier.”
When to use it
When describing starlings moving together in huge, shifting aerial shapes, usually with wonder.
Similar words
flock, swarm, cloud of starlings
Where it comes from
Latin murmurare, 'to murmur'.
Quick check
Thousands of starlings turn together above a field, forming shifting waves in the sky. What are you watching?
a murmuration or a migration?
Show the answer
a murmuration
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “murmuration”