one of many species of small singing birds of the family fringilligae, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. the common sparrow, or house sparrow, of europe (passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. see house sparrow, under house.-any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the european hedge sparrow. see under hedge.