talon

noun

tal·​on ˈta-lən 

1

a

: the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey

b

: a finger or hand of a human being

2

: a part or object shaped like or suggestive of a heel or claw: such as

a

: an ogee molding

b

: the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt

3

a

: cards laid aside in a pile in solitaire

b

: stock sense 5c

taloned

ˈta-lənd 

adjective

Examples of talon in a Sentence

The hawk gripped the mouse in its talons.

Recent Examples on the Web

The reserve of a select group of noblemen, les talons rouges, signaled a sumptuary code, an inner circle, which explains why so many of the king’s courtiers were posed awkwardly in portraits for the purpose of displaying their trophy steppers. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025

Moon Knight's Handy Prompt: Corrected the issue where the ground visual cue for Moon Knight's Ultimate Ability would prematurely disappear—no more being caught unaware about incoming talons. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

There was a tool that seemed purpose-built for stabbing—about a foot long, with a curved handle and a steel blade filed into the shape of a talon. —Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

California Burned and anxious pets fill Pasadena shelter after Eaton fire Jan. 17, 2025 Thirty-three spectators at the cockfight were detained and about 250 roosters were discovered, along with a fighting ring, a scoreboard and steel talons, according to officials. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taloun heel, hind claw of a bird of prey, from Anglo-French talun, from Vulgar Latin *talon-, *talo, from Latin talus ankle, anklebone

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for talon

• alan
• ballon
• gallon
• concanavalin
• enkephalin
• trifluralin

Kids Definition

talon

noun

tal·​on ˈtal-ən 

: the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey

Medical Definition

talon

noun

tal·​on ˈtal-ən 

: the crushing region of the crown of an upper molar