Standard Lemma guide

birdsmouth

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈbɜːdsmaʊθ/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˈbɝdsmaʊθ/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A notch cut into the underside of a rafter to ensure that it does not move when resting on the wall plate running across the top of a wall; a similar notch in other timber components.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: business, carpentry, construction, manufacturing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To cut a birdsmouth into a rafter or similar timber component.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: business, carpentry, construction, manufacturing

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From bird + -s- + mouth, from its appearance.