raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər  -ˌtȯr 

1

: a carnivorous medium- to large-sized bird (such as a hawk, eagle, owl, or vulture) that has a hooked beak and large sharp talons and that feeds wholly or chiefly on meat taken by hunting or on carrion : bird of prey

2

: a usually small-to-medium-sized predatory dinosaur (such as a velociraptor or deinonychus)

Examples of raptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, or catch the sheepdog and free-flight raptor shows. —Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025

In subsequent pictures the model shared, the 8-year-old could be seen wearing a raptor glove, with a snow white owl sitting atop it, as an older man seemingly taught him how to work with the animal. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025

Bounded by Idaho Avenue, Iowa Avenue and Howard Street, the park could feature a sledding hill, overlook, dog park, community garden, playground or other amenities — perhaps even birdhouses, bat houses and a raptor platform. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025

The raptors often reuse sites for generations. —Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) after New Latin Raptores, former order name, going back to Latin, plural of raptor "plunderer, robber, a beast or bird of prey," from rapere "to seize and carry off, take away by force" + -tor, agent suffix; (sense 2) borrowed from New Latin -raptor (as in velociraptor) — more at rapid entry 1

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for raptor

• apter
• captor
• chapter
• adapter
• adaptor
• subchapter

Kids Definition

raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

: bird of prey

Etymology

Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"