peregrine falcon

noun

: a swift nearly cosmopolitan falcon (Falco peregrinus) often used in falconry

called also peregrine

Illustration of peregrine falcon

Examples of peregrine falcon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The landscape is also a bird-watchers’ dream, drawing hawks, eagles, peregrine falcons, and swifts. —Alison Osius, Outside Online, 1 Nov. 2024

Practice Makes Perfect by Jack Zhi Adult peregrine falcons are formidable hunters: Capable of diving at a breakneck 200 miles per hour to snatch prey out of the sky, the birds attain the fastest speeds on Earth. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024

But this juvenile peregrine falcon isn’t quite ready to take its place amid the more experienced, exacting predators of the species. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024

Temporary route closure due to nesting falcons is typical each spring in order to protect nesting prairie and peregrine falcons. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English faukon peregryn, from Medieval Latin falco peregrinus, literally, pilgrim falcon; from the young being captured wandering from their nests, which were too inaccessible to reach easily

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

peregrine falcon

noun

per·​e·​grine falcon

ˈper-ə-grən-,

-ˌgrēn-

: a dark swift widely distributed falcon that can be tamed and trained to hunt game

called also peregrine