falcon

noun

fal·​con ˈfal-kən  ˈfȯl- 

 also  ˈfȯ-kən

1

: any of various hawks trained for use in falconry

especially : peregrine falcon

—used technically only of a female compare tiercel

2

: any of various hawks (family Falconidae) that have long pointed wings, a long tail, and a notched beak and that usually inhabit open areas

Illustration of falcon

• 1 hood
• 2 jess
• 3 gauntlet

Examples of falcon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a moment just before the start of Brightbill’s quest to learn how to fly when Roz introduces her son to his new teacher, the falcon Thunderbolt (Ving Rhames). —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2024

These two grand title winners were chosen from the 18 category winners, which included photographs of a hawk eating a squirrel, a lynx stretching in the sun and a falcon hunting a butterfly. —Jack Guy, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024

Jack Zhi enjoys watching a young falcon practicing its hunting skills on a butterfly, above its sea-cliff nest in Los Angeles, California. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Some classes are conducted outside, with views of the Aegean Sea and local wildlife like Eleonora falcons and caracals. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English faucoun, falcon, from Anglo-French faucon, from Late Latin falcon-, falco, probably from Latin falc-, falx

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing falcon

• falcon-gentle
• peregrine falcon

Kids Definition

falcon

noun

fal·​con ˈfal-kən  ˈfȯl- 

 also  ˈfȯ-kən

1

: a hawk trained for use in falconry

2

: any of various swift hawks with long pointed wings, a long tail, and a notch on the upper half of the beak for killing prey