eagle

1 of 2

noun

ea·​gle ˈē-gəl How to pronounce eagle (audio)
1
: any of various large diurnal birds of prey (family Accipitridae) noted for their strength, size, keenness of vision, and powers of flight
2
a
: the eagle-bearing standard of the ancient Romans
b
: one of a pair of eagle-bearing silver insignia of rank worn by a military colonel or a navy captain
3
: a gold coin of the U.S. bearing an eagle on the reverse and usually having a value of ten dollars
4
: a golf score of two strokes less than par on a hole compare birdie
5
capitalized [Fraternal Order of Eagles] : a member of a major fraternal order

eagle

2 of 2

verb

eagled; eagling ˈē-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce eagle (audio)

transitive verb

: to score an eagle on (a golf hole)

Examples of eagle in a Sentence

Noun She made an eagle on the fourth hole. She made eagle on the fourth hole. Verb She eagled the fourth hole.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
For that alliance with mortals Zeus condemned Prometheus to eternal torment by binding him to a rock, where an eagle daily fed on his liver, which (yuck!) grew back each day. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023 Indy was also the eagle to fly at a baseball game in Plainsman Park during the 2023 season. Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 14 Sep. 2023 This pair of eagles have raised several chicks in years past. Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 13 Sep. 2023 Flesch seized control early by playing the opening six holes at Norwood Hills in 6-under par, including an eagle on the par-5 second hole when his approach caught a slope at the back of the green and rolled back to tap-in range. Associated Press, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023 It was long believed that Quetzalcoatlus flew similarly to eagles and condors, using updrafts to fly. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 8 Sep. 2023 One key to harnessing that wind lies at the end of a causeway jutting into the bay, on a mostly undeveloped island where eagles fish offshore and people walk in the quiet shade. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2023 En route, we’re treated to a hit-or-miss barrage of comedic bits involving a pizza-and-beer blowout, crazy-making fireworks, a rapacious eagle, a four-way urination ritual, a smeary dog-pound escape, an unfortunate (and frankly disturbing) rabbit incident and much else. Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023 Why treat the eagle attack on Bug as a jump scare instead of a sight gag? cleveland, 17 Aug. 2023
Verb
Thomas eagled the par-5 15th on Sunday to move into 70th in the points standings. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 6 Aug. 2023 Kuest eagled the 14th hole and birdied the 15th while Rai birdied both holes, keeping both in contention. Jenna Malinowski, Detroit Free Press, 2 July 2023 During a May 3 local qualifier at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California – where his father is the head pro – Dylan Block eagled the par 5 18th hole to move inside the cutline. Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 5 June 2023 In pleasant conditions under a heavy marine layer, Fleetwood barely missed a 5-foot birdie putt on the first hole, but then made an early birdie and eagled the par-4 sixth by putting his 286-yard tee shot within 6 feet. Greg Beacham, ajc, 18 June 2023 Modleski nearly eagled No. 18 with a 25-foot chip that missed the cup by 3 inches. Kyle Neddenriep, The Indianapolis Star, 13 June 2023 Needing a birdie to force a playoff, Comegys chipped-in from 35 feet to eagle the 18th hole and win the UIL Class 6A boys golf state tournament at Legacy Hills Golf Club with an 8-under 136 for the two-day event. Colby Gordon, Dallas News, 10 May 2022 That said, McIlroy would have had to eagle No. 18 to force a playoff. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2022 Widespread conservation efforts — including bans on pesticides, the passage of the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s, and protections for habitats, air and water — have helped eagle populations come back after the birds’ near-demise in the 1960s. Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 12 May 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eagle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English egle, from Anglo-French egle, aigle, from Latin aquila

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eagle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near eagle

Cite this Entry

“Eagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eagle. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

eagle

noun
ea·​gle
ˈē-gəl
1
: any of various large day-flying sharp-eyed birds of prey with a powerful flight that are related to the hawks
2
: a seal or standard shaped like or bearing an eagle
3
: a 10-dollar gold coin of the U.S.
4
: a golf score of two strokes less than par on a hole

More from Merriam-Webster on eagle

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