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 number of breeding pairs of peregrine falcons, the world’s fastest animal, has doubled during a 15-year-long collaborative recovery plan involving climbers, the National Park Service and Yosemite Conservancy, the park announced on Wednesday. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 31 July 2024

The number of peregrine falcons at Yosemite National Park has soared over the last 15 years. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024

Globally, Partners in Flight estimates there are now 340,000 peregrine falcons. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024

Majestic birds, peregrine falcons choose cliffs for their nesting sites because the sheer walls protect chicks from terrestrial predators. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 31 July 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