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

Detroit Free Press The Department of Natural Resources is encouraging drivers to be wary of bald eagles along the road in Michigan after a pair of raptors were struck by vehicles in the UP this week, killing one and leaving the other unlikely to survive. —Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 19 Dec. 2024

Researchers have found tiny long-necks, trackways made by flapping raptors and more. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024

Official festival events include birding excursions, lectures, raptor demonstrations and a trade show/craft fair. —Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2024

Her mother told her the raptors could be the spirit of her deceased father visiting her. —Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 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"