aviary

/ˌeɪviˈɛri/

/ˈeɪviɛri/

Other forms: aviaries

An aviary is a place where birds are kept, such as a building at the zoo or a bird sanctuary. It can be a peaceful place to visit, but watch out for nasty surprises dropping from birds overhead.

Aviary is formed from the Latin word for bird, avis, and the ending -ary, meaning “a place” (similar to the -arium in aquarium). Unlike birdcages for pets, aviaries are large enough to allow the captive birds room to fly around. They are often large enough for people to enter too. Be sure not to confuse aviary with apiary, which is a place for keeping bees, not birds.

Definitions of aviary

1. noun

   a building where birds are kept
   synonyms: bird sanctuary, volary

   type of:

   building, edifice

   a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place