peregrine falcon

noun

: a swift nearly cosmopolitan falcon (Falco peregrinus) often used in falconry

called also peregrine

Illustration of peregrine falcon

Examples of peregrine falcon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Currently, the beaches of Torrey Pines are crowded with photographers hoping for that perfect picture of peregrine falcon chicks being raised in crude scrape nests placed on precarious perches, high on the sandstone cliffs. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025

The largest urban concentration of peregrine falcons in North America lives in New York City. —Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

Notable species saved include the bald eagle, American alligators, whooping cranes and peregrine falcons. —Kristin Brown, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025

Building managers oversee the rooftop nest box, birds and camera, which provides an intimate view into the life of nesting peregrine falcons each year. —Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for peregrine falcon

• alkyne
• malkin

Kids Definition

peregrine falcon

noun

per·​e·​grine falcon

ˈper-ə-grən-,

-ˌgrēn-

: a dark swift widely distributed falcon that can be tamed and trained to hunt game

called also peregrine