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

In an extraordinary display of ingenuity, black kites (Milvus migrans), alongside other raptors like brown falcons (Falco berigora) and whistling kites (Haliastur sphenurus), have been observed actively spreading wildfires. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

Some airports deploy falcons and take other measures to keep their skies clear of birds. —Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024

Countering these drones has become big business, with most systems focusing on capturing or destroying drones by means of shotguns, microwaves, lasers, nets, and even falcons. —New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2024

When pesticides drove the North American peregrine falcon to near-extinction in the 1960s, Tom Cade, a Cornell professor and director of raptor research at the Lab of Ornithology, set up a massive captive-breeding project, producing several thousand young falcons and releasing them into the wild. —Tim Gallagher, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 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