Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: starling (Noun). A gregarious passerine bird, of the family Sturnidae, having dark, iridescent plumage. starling (Noun). A structure of pilings that protects the piers of a bridge. Starling (ProperNoun). from a nickname for a gregarious person. Starling (ProperNoun).tarlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. The name Sturnidae comes from the Latin word for starling, sturnus. Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas, and many African species are known as glossy starlings because of their iridescent plumage.