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

Remember the peregrine falcon that hatched at We Energies in Port Washington? —Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024

The park also has endangered great gray owls, peregrine falcons (the fastest animal on Earth), and Sierra bighorn sheep found at high elevations. —Carrie Dennis, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2024

Ari Daniel Shapiro: …is Frightful, a frozen peregrine falcon. —IEEE Spectrum, 1 June 2012

Just decades ago, peregrine falcons were largely absent from California and much of the U.S. amid widespread use of pesticides. —Li Cohen, CBS News, 6 May 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