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 two eagles fought in flight, talon to talon, over a single shad when there were hundreds of shad in the river below. —Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024

Erivo’s talon nails have been on display during her tour to promote Wicked alongside Ariana Grande. —Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Cynthia Erivo doesn’t think her talon nails get in the way of her bathroom duties. —Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Having this remarkable 15-pound bird perched on my glove with its 5-inch talons wrapped around my wrist was a profound moment that reminded me of Jim Fowler’s connection with this majestic species and his lifelong passion for wildlife conservation. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

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

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