1. small pellets of lead or steel used in shotgun shells for hunting birds and small game
Usage: hunting; firearms

Examples

• The hunter loaded his shotgun with birdshot before heading into the field.
• Birdshot is smaller than buckshot and designed for hunting waterfowl.
• The veterinarian carefully removed the birdshot from the injured duck’s wing.
• Different sizes of birdshot are used depending on the type of bird being hunted.
• The shotgun shell was filled with number 6 birdshot.
• Birdshot spreads in a wide pattern when fired from a shotgun.