1. A small, mainly seed-eating bird that is one of about 280 species in 70 genera comprising the family Emberizidae. Most are brown with streaks of other colours; they have short, conical bills and long tails, and occur throughout the Americas (where they are often called sparrows), Europe, Africa, and Asia.

2. The common name of about six species of North American birds of the family Cardinalidae. They are heavy-bodied, with strong, conical bills, and the males are brightly coloured.