noun

• 1A flightless swift-running African bird with a long neck, long legs, and two toes on each foot. It is the largest living bird, with males reaching a height of up to 2.75 m.

  Struthio camelus, the only member of the family Struthionidae

  ‘Both of these bird families had reduced wings and could not fly, and looked something like living ratite birds - ostriches, emus, rheas, and so on.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘He's not just talking about pigeons and sparrows either; kiwis, ostriches, penguins, and rare flightless parrots are just a handful of the exotic avians featured in this series.’
  • ‘Living relatives of moa include the emus, ostrich, and kiwi, which are members of a bird group called ratites.’
  • ‘There are only two kinds of animal that spend their whole lives performing the tricky balancing act of walking on two legs - humans and some flightless birds, like ostriches.’
  • ‘The approach also provided accurate results for ostriches, emus, and rheas - the three living species that are most physically similar to terror birds today.’
  • ‘Ornithomimids were a distinctive group of theropod dinosaurs who show a good example of convergent evolution with the ratite birds, such as ostriches.’
  • ‘These include ostriches, macaws, toucans, flamingos, storks and cranes.’
  • ‘For example, wings are very complex anatomical structures specifically adapted for powered flight, yet ostriches have flightless wings.’
  • ‘The male ostrich has from two to six females in his flock.’
  • ‘Perhaps, like me, you have neither ostriches nor toucans in your neighborhood.’
  • ‘Compared with long-legged ostriches striding across a plain, waddling penguins come up short.’
  • ‘‘It is… important to discourage the interaction of wild birds with ostriches and free-range poultry,’ he said in a statement.’
  • ‘Unlike the similar-looking ostriches, the head, neck, and thighs of rheas are feathered.’
  • ‘In red felt with black ostrich feathers, it came with a matching corsage.’
  • ‘The ostrich meat is mainly exported to the European Union countries.’
  • ‘Meat products will include ostrich meat, as well as savoury pies and seafood.’
  • ‘Uncut, it weighed 3,106 carats (approximately the size of an ostrich egg).’
  • ‘"The quality of the meat coming from the ostrich farmers is good.’
  • ‘But I think I'll try the grilled ostrich steak with pepper sauce and salad.’
  • ‘I couldn't wait to see what they'd make of riding an ostrich.’
• 2A person who refuses to face reality or accept facts.

  ‘don't be an ostrich when it comes to security systems’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Despite the fervent hopes of many hard-working and well-meaning ostriches, the problem refuses to evaporate.’
  • ‘And, again, it's an ostrich attitude not to accept that and act accordingly, in my opinion.’
  • ‘Instead of behaving like ostriches, we should recognise the ground reality and legalise this profession.’
  • ‘At some point, the regime will crack and then even the most determined ostriches will have to face the harsh realities.’
  • ‘They are ostriches with their media heads in the sand.’

  Origin

  From the popular belief that ostriches bury their heads in the sand if pursued.