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

During a visit, guests can explore exhibits spanning from the Owl Forest—a top spot for seeing nocturnal raptors—to Expedition Kea, a space dedicated to one of New Zealand’s most beloved parrot species. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Unlike raptors such as eagles and hawks, vultures don't have the kind of strong talons needed for hunting. —Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

Read Next Missouri Family finds rare all-white raptor unable to fly near Missouri home, officials say February 12, 2025 9:22 AM Read Next California Rare white killer whale surfaces next to ‘lucky and thrilled’ boaters off CA. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025

The mega raptors belonged to a family of large-bodied dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period (about 125 to 66 million years ago) called Megaraptoridae. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for raptor

• apter
• captor
• chapter
• adapter
• adaptor
• subchapter

Kids Definition

raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

: bird of prey

Etymology

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