1. a mythical bird of brilliant plumage, often depicted as golden or flaming, found in folklore and fantasy literature
Usage: often capitalized when referring to a specific legendary creature; common in Russian folklore and modern fantasy
2. any of various real birds with bright red or orange plumage, such as certain tanagers or cardinals
Usage: ornithological usage
3. a high-performance sports car, specifically a Pontiac Firebird
Usage: informal; often capitalized as a brand name

Examples

• In Russian folklore, the firebird is a magical creature that glows with golden light.
• The hero must capture the firebird to break the curse in the fairy tale.
• A scarlet firebird landed on the branch, its feathers brilliant in the sunlight.
• He dreamed of owning a vintage Firebird from the 1970s.
• The firebird appears in many fantasy novels as a symbol of hope and renewal.
• Stravinsky's ballet 'The Firebird' tells the story of a magical bird and a prince.