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

Jackie has been in the care of the raptor center since July 17, when she was transferred following rescue by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation's San Dimas Raptor Rescue team. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Certain species like raptors, which fly at turbine height, and migratory birds, which travel along the same, predictable routes, are particularly vulnerable to this. — Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Participants can dissect an owl/hawk pellet to discover what raptors eat. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

In those times, encountering a large beast like a massive snake, jaguar, or raptor could mean life or death. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 July 2026

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

Rhymes for raptor

• apter
• captor
• chapter
• adapter
• adaptor
• subchapter

Kids Definition

raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

: bird of prey

Etymology

Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"