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

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

The peregrine falcon bounced back and was removed from the endangered species list in 1999. —Tim Gallagher, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

From the peregrine falcon to the Steller's sea eagle to the great horned owl, there’s a wealth of majestic birds of prey that call our planet home—and few people know this as well as Peter Gros. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

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