A caw is the harsh, loud cry made by crows, ravens, and similar birds. When you hear a crow calling from a tree or flying overhead, that rough “caw, caw, caw” sound is exactly what the word describes.

Unlike the sweet chirping of a robin or the melodic song of a mockingbird, a caw sounds scratchy and abrupt. It's one of those words that sounds like what it means: say “caw” out loud and you'll hear how it mimics the actual bird call.

Crows use their caws to communicate with each other, warning about danger, claiming territory, or gathering the group together. A single crow might give a sharp caw as an alarm, while a whole flock might create a chorus of cawing that echoes across a field or a parking lot.

The word works as both a noun (the sound itself is a caw) and a verb (the crow caws from the fence post). While cawing might sound unpleasant compared to prettier bird songs, crows are remarkably intelligent birds, and their caws carry meaning that other crows understand perfectly.