bald eagle

noun

: an eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) of North America that is brown when young with white only on the undersides of the wings but in full adult plumage has white head and neck feathers and a white tail

Illustration of bald eagle

Illustration of bald eagle

Examples of bald eagle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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About 70 percent of bald eagles survive the fledgling stage. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 June 2026 Jackie and Shadow cam Famous California bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow have taken the internet by storm with their adorable chicks this spring. Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 June 2026 The pair of bald eagles spotted nesting in Los Angeles County. Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 31 May 2026 Campgrounds near Jenny Lake and Colter Bay offer easy access to hiking, kayaking, boating, and wildlife viewing (moose, bears, bison, and bald eagles are all commonly spotted throughout the area). Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bald eagle

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bald eagle was in 1688

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Cite this Entry

“Bald eagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bald%20eagle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

bald eagle

noun
: a North American eagle which is mostly brown when young but has white head, neck, and tail feathers when mature

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