talon

noun

tal·​on ˈta-lən 

1

a

: the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey

b

: a finger or hand of a human being

2

: a part or object shaped like or suggestive of a heel or claw: such as

a

: an ogee molding

b

: the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt

3

a

: cards laid aside in a pile in solitaire

b

: stock sense 5c

taloned

ˈta-lənd 

adjective

Examples of talon in a Sentence

The hawk gripped the mouse in its talons.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her nails are down to the quick, except for her thumbs, which feature inch-long talons covered in fancy silver swirls. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

That’s right, fun designs aren’t just for long talons. —Georgia Day, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026

In photos and videos of the rescue mission, the two birds could be seen dangling upside down with their talons completely tangled up in a mess of power lines. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

Aquilegia, its scientific name, is derived from the Latin word for eagle since those same appendages are said to resemble an eagle’s talons as well. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taloun heel, hind claw of a bird of prey, from Anglo-French talun, from Vulgar Latin *talon-, *talo, from Latin talus ankle, anklebone

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for talon

• alan
• ballon
• gallon
• concanavalin
• enkephalin
• trifluralin

Kids Definition

talon

noun

tal·​on ˈtal-ən 

: the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey

Medical Definition

talon

noun

tal·​on ˈtal-ən 

: the crushing region of the crown of an upper molar