raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

-ˌtȯr

1

: a carnivorous medium- to large-sized bird (such as a hawk, eagle, owl, or vulture) that has a hooked beak and large sharp talons and that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion : bird of prey

2

: a usually small-to-medium-sized predatory dinosaur (such as a velociraptor or deinonychus)

Examples of raptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vultures are large, daytime (diurnal) raptors that primarily feed on the decaying flesh of dead animals, known as carrion. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024

The freeing occurred at the center where the raptors have been recovering for at least a month. —Erika I. Ritchie, Orange County Register, 21 Oct. 2024

During the day, don’t miss the annual hawk watch—the return of the migrating raptors—which runs through November 30. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 8 Oct. 2024

Recovery of a raptor:Condors take flight near Grand Canyon, but lead ammo could ground the species Thanks for reading and for subscribing to AZ Climate, the Arizona Republic's weekly environment newsletter. —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) after New Latin Raptores, former order name, going back to Latin, plural of raptor "plunderer, robber, a beast or bird of prey," from rapere "to seize and carry off, take away by force" + -tor, agent suffix; (sense 2) borrowed from New Latin -raptor (as in velociraptor) — more at rapid entry 1

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

: bird of prey

Etymology

Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"