California condor

noun

Cal·​i·​for·​nia condor ˌka-lə-ˈfȯr-nyə- How to pronounce California condor (audio)
: a large nearly extinct vulture (Gymnogyps californianus) found most recently in the mountains of southern California that is related to the condor of South America

Illustration of California condor

Illustration of california condor

Examples of California condor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Four of the chicks are being raised under a double-brooding method, which means two chicks are being raised at the same time by two surrogate California condors, according to the release. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 Animal species that have been saved by Endangered Special Act protections include the bald eagle, the California condor, the whooping crane and grizzly bear, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Clark Corbin, Idaho Statesman, 12 June 2025 Environmentalists call the recovery a breathtaking success, similar to the comeback of other species once near extinction, like the California condor. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 28 May 2025 After an initial test of the vaccine on black vultures showed promise, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a trial involving 25 California condors —10 birds got two shots, 10 birds got one and five birds served as the control group. Karen Kucher, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for California condor

Word History

Etymology

California, state of U.S.

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California condor was in 1853

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Cite this Entry

“California condor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20condor. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

California condor

noun
Cal·​i·​for·​nia condor ˌkal-ə-ˌfȯr-nyə- How to pronounce California condor (audio)
: a very large nearly extinct vulture of mountainous southern California that is related to the condor of South America

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