California condor

noun

Cal·​i·​for·​nia condor ˌka-lə-ˈfȯr-nyə- 

: 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

Examples of California condor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Just 22 California condors remained on the entire planet, the survivors of a species that had once soared from California to Florida and from western Canada to northern Mexico. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

The Endangered Species Act is credited with bringing back iconic animals — including the bald eagle, American alligator and California condor — from the brink of extinction. — Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Enacted by Congress in 1973, the Endangered Species Act has been credited with saving animals including the California condor, grizzly bear and humpback whale. — CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

The Endangered Species Act is credited with bringing back animals including the California condor, the bald eagle and the American alligator from the brink of extinction. — Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

California, state of U.S.

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for California condor

• fonder
• launder
• mandir
• maunder
• ponder
• squander
• wander
• yonder
• responder
• transponder

Kids Definition

California condor

noun

Cal·​i·​for·​nia condor ˌkal-ə-ˌfȯr-nyə- 

: a very large nearly extinct vulture of mountainous southern California that is related to the condor of South America