1. English organist and composer of church music; master of 16th century polyphony; was granted a monopoly in music printing with Thomas Tallis (1543-1623) • Syn: William Byrd • Instance Hypernyms: organist, composer 2. explorer and United States naval officer; led expeditions to explore Antarctica (1888-1957) • Syn: Richard E. Byrd, Richard Evelyn Byrd, Admiral Byrd • Instance Hypernyms: explorer, adventurer, naval officer