peregrine falcon

noun

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of peregrine falcon

: a swift nearly cosmopolitan falcon (Falco peregrinus) often used in falconry — called also peregrine

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Recent Examples of peregrine falcon from the Web

Threatened and Endangered Raptors: Wednesday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. Meet an American kestrel, a peregrine falcon, a whet owl and an eagle and learn what causes raptors to be threatened and endangered, with Horizon Wings.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 3 Apr. 2018
Behind the house, a cliff that’s home to peregrine falcons rises out of the forest.

— hugh garvey, Condé Nast Traveler, "Eating and Drinking Through Burgundy with Chef Ludo Lefebvre," 23 Mar. 2018
Photo Courtesy the Nelson Family About the Peregrine Fund It was founded in 1970 to restore the peregrine falcon, which at the time was all but extinct.

— dana oland, idahostatesman, "Birds of Prey gets a rare addition and a multimillion-dollar expansion | Idaho Statesman," 12 Mar. 2018
The peregrine falcon that her husband made to look so real was recently sold to a Ramona businessman for an undisclosed price.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Wood carver's creations look like the real deal," 1 Mar. 2018
According to The Nature Conservancy, the peregrine falcon was listed as endangered in 1970 because of pesticides and DDT poisoning.

— vincent t. davis, San Antonio Express-News, "Wintering peregrine falcons seen soaring above downtown high rises," 24 Jan. 2018
Meanwhile, the peregrine falcon — which can be found in South Korea — can reach 200 m.p.h. in a dive, according to the Conservation Institute.

— chris wilson, Time, "We Raced Winter Olympic Athletes Against a Snow Leopard. Here’s Who Won," 13 Feb. 2018
Kargar said the nonprofit group provides a rehabilitation service for birds of prey and cares for three to four peregrine falcons a year.

— vincent t. davis, San Antonio Express-News, "Wintering peregrine falcons seen soaring above downtown high rises," 24 Jan. 2018
The islands are also protected habitats for Manx shearwaters, northern fulmar, black-legged kittiwake, razorbill, guillemot, peregrine falcon and storm petrel.

— julia blakely, Smithsonian, "The True History of Luke Skywalker’s Monastic Retreat," 11 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'peregrine falcon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of peregrine falcon

Origin and Etymology of peregrine falcon

Middle English faukon peregryn, from Medieval Latin falco peregrinus, literally, pilgrim falcon; from the young being captured wandering from their nests, which were too inaccessible to reach easily

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First Known Use: 14th century

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