harrier

1 of 3

noun (1)

har·​ri·​er ˈher-ē-ər 

ˈha-rē-

1

: any of a breed of hunting dogs resembling a small English foxhound and originally bred for hunting rabbits

2

: a runner on a cross-country team

harrier

2 of 3

noun (2)

: any of a genus (Circus) of slender hawks having long angled wings and long legs and feeding chiefly on small mammals, reptiles, and insects

harrier

3 of 3

noun (3)

: one that harries

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Around half the islands’ bird species were wiped out after humans arrived in New Zealand — including Haast’s eagle and Eyles’s harrier — opening new niches. —Boyce Upholt, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2022

As a sophomore in 2018, Cole finished eighth at counties, and in 2019, the Centennial harrier won bronze behind Nanjappa and Ba. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, baltimoresun.com, 11 June 2021

Around half the islands’ bird species were wiped out after humans arrived in New Zealand — including Haast’s eagle and Eyles’s harrier — opening new niches. —Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022

Nimrit Ahuja was the top Howard harrier, crossing the line in 18:41. —Brent Kennedy, baltimoresun.com, 4 Oct. 2021

The marsh harrier is one of only two birds whose males permanently don the colours of females. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2011

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English hayrer, heirer, eirer, of uncertain origin, later reshaped after hare entry 1 and harrier entry 3

Noun (2)

earlier also harroer, harrower, from harrow entry 1 or harry + -er entry 2

Noun (3)

harry + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1553, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1596, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing harrier

• northern harrier

• northern harrier

Kids Definition

harrier

1 of 2 noun

har·​ri·​er ˈhar-ē-ər 

: any of a breed of hunting dogs like a large beagle that were originally used for hunting rabbits

harrier

2 of 2 noun

1

: one that harries

2

: any of various slender long-legged hawks