raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

-ˌtȯr

1

: a carnivorous medium- to large-sized bird (such as a hawk, eagle, owl, or vulture) that has a hooked beak and large sharp talons and that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion : bird of prey

2

: a usually small-to-medium-sized predatory dinosaur (such as a velociraptor or deinonychus)

Examples of raptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Driving the news: For over 30 years, dozens of raptors have been released back into the wild through a partnership between nonprofit Last Chance Forever and river cruise company Vanishing Texas River Cruises. —Nicole Cobler, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025

Many residents around Madison County shared pictures and stories of their sighting of the piebald raptor and others like it on the department’s Facebook post. —Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2025

Officials said that while both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI, raptors (birds of prey), waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025

Zoom in: The 15th annual Eagle Watch event provides bird lovers and raptor fanatics the opportunity to see the predators dive for shad and waterfowl in the rushing waters of the Columbia and take a snooze in the trees surrounding Westrick Park. —Meira Gebel, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) after New Latin Raptores, former order name, going back to Latin, plural of raptor "plunderer, robber, a beast or bird of prey," from rapere "to seize and carry off, take away by force" + -tor, agent suffix; (sense 2) borrowed from New Latin -raptor (as in velociraptor) — more at rapid entry 1

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

: bird of prey

Etymology

Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"