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
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.
By June 22, the wild bald eagle was ready to soar free again. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 July 2025 The reserve is heavily wooded with more than 25 tree species that are the domain of warblers, crows, wrens, hawks, woodpeckers, sap suckers, owls, bald eagles, vultures and great herons. John Tuohy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 Wildlife Watch The diversity of species in Pictured Rocks is impressive, ranging from the occasional moose to the gray wolf and bald eagle. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 30 May 2025 Hikers, walking among oak, maple and ash trees, might encounter deer, bald eagles, foxes and even black bears. Coral Murphy Marcos, New York Times, 2 May 2025 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 19 Jul. 2025.

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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