peregrine falcon

noun

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Definition of peregrine falcon

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

See peregrine falcon defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of peregrine falcon from the Web

Despite the surveillance reduction, which freed up money for conserving other species like the peregrine falcon, Sargent promised our nation’s symbol will always remain a top priority in the state.

— emilie ikeda, Fox News, "Bald eagle, once a dying breed, making groundbreaking comeback across country," 22 June 2018
Hayabusa is the Japanese word for peregrine falcon.

— kenneth chang, New York Times, "Japan’s Hayabusa2 Spacecraft Creeps Up on the Ryugu Asteroid," 25 June 2018
Downtown's new peregrine falcon bros Both chicks are males.

— laura james-reim, Indianapolis Star, "After banding, young falcons start to test their wings," 6 June 2018
Two new peregrine falcon chicks, Whitehead and Webster, are introduced at a banding session and health checkup, downtown Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 4, 2018.

— laura james-reim, Indianapolis Star, "Beware of falling falcons: Volunteers ready to rescue," 17 June 2018
The rooftop of an Evanston Public Library branch is again home to peregrine falcon hatchlings born recently at the nesting site there.

— kyra senese, chicagotribune.com, "Recently born peregrine falcons to be named, banded at Evanston library," 25 May 2018
The peregrine falcon dive can go up to 320 kilometers [198 miles] an hour.

— National Geographic, "The Biggest Bird That Ever Lived and 5 More Bird Superstars," 15 May 2018
In the last century, wildlife conservationists have been able to bring elk back to Michigan’s forests and incorporate peregrine falcon nests into buildings in downtown Detroit, Mt. Clemens and Lansing.

— michigan wildlife council, Detroit Free Press, "No strangers to the endangered," 9 May 2018
Officials rescued an injured baby peregrine falcon that was blocking a Cambridge intersection near Kendall Square Monday evening, police said.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Injured baby falcon rescued from Cambridge intersection," 12 June 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year