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

The three peregrine falcon chicks nesting above the UC Davis Medical Center have entered a new phase in their development and, officials said, have names to go along with it. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

An array of raptors (golden eagles and peregrine falcons, to name two) and other bird species have free rein in the skies. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2026

Birds can change the shape of their wings almost instantaneously, spreading out to create drag and lift and perform sudden turns or hover above prey like a kestrel, or folding up so the peregrine falcon can stoop on prey at 240 mph. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

In most birds of prey, including peregrine falcons, the females are usually bigger. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 21 May 2026

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

Rhymes for peregrine falcon

• alkyne
• malkin

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