roadrunner

/ˈɹoʊdˌɹʌnɚ/

UK: /ˈɹəʊdˌɹʌnə/

roadrunner

English Noun

Definition

Either of two species of fast-running bird in the genus Geococcyx of the cuckoo family native to North and Central America, the lesser roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) and, especially, the greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus).

Etymology

From road + runner, probably a calque of Spanish correcaminos (“roadrunner”), from correr (“to run”) + caminos (“roads”).