Meaning & use
a rookery
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“a rookery” is a form of “rookery”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable
a place where a group of birds or animals nests and breeds together
Grammar: Countable: you can talk about 'a rookery' or 'the rookeries'.
Patterns
- a rookery of birds
- a penguin rookery
- nest in a rookery
The cliffs are home to a large rookery of seabirds.
Scientists visited the penguin rookery to count the chicks.
The rookery is protected during the breeding season.
nouncountablespecialist
a group of rooks or similar birds that nest together in the tops of trees
Grammar: Countable and often used with 'of': 'a rookery of rooks'.
Patterns
- a rookery of rooks
- a noisy rookery
A noisy rookery filled the tall trees behind the farm.
The old rookery has been used by the same birds for years.
Word forms
| plural | rookeries |
|---|
Common combinations
- penguin rookery
- The island has the largest penguin rookery in the region.
- seabird rookery
- Visitors must stay away from the seabird rookery.
- nesting rookery
- The nesting rookery is crowded in spring.
Synonyms and how they differ
- colony
- This is the more general word for a group of animals living together, while 'rookery' often suggests a nesting or breeding place.
- nesting site
- This describes the place more plainly and can be used for a single pair of birds, not just a large group.
Word family
- rook noun
- a black bird of the crow family that often nests in groups
Commonly confused: a rookery or rookie?
a rookery vs rookie
'Rookie' means a beginner, especially in sports; a 'rookery' is a nesting place for birds or animals.
Practice
What is a rookery?
Choose one answer.
A rookery is a nesting or breeding place for a group of birds or animals. The other options describe a chick, a fishing tool, or a tree, none of which match the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a rookery”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.