gizzard

Everyday

1. A gizzard is a strong muscular part of a bird's stomach that grinds up food, often with small stones the bird has swallowed. tree →
2. (informal, humorous) Gizzard can mean a person's stomach or throat: «It sticks in my gizzard» means it annoys me. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons birds have gizzards instead of teeth to grind food. In cooking, chicken gizzards are eaten in some places. Phrases: «stick in your gizzard».

Examples

• Birds have no teeth, so the gizzard grinds their food. tree →
• Chickens swallow small stones to help their gizzard. tree →
• Some people fry chicken gizzards. tree →
• The worm ended up in the robin's gizzard. tree →
• That unfair rule really sticks in my gizzard. tree →
• Earthworms have a gizzard too. tree →
• Make yourself quite small, get into my throat—go into my gizzard and I will carry you.’ tree →

Note

Countable. Not a lizard! Birds and some other animals (earthworms, crocodiles) have gizzards.