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

And with nearly 70 percent of the overall acreage under a conservation easement that prevents development, the property also ensures wide-open views paired with plenty of elk, deer, moose, and raptor sightings. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2025

Along the way, park officials encourage visitors to keep an eye out for the birds that call the park home, including herons and egrets, and even a few raptors. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2025

Move over Eagles, another raptor is taking over the gridiron. —Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Because of it, the migratory raptors that are protected under state and federal law forced the school, known as the Eagles, to rearrange their football and soccer schedules, switching to day games instead of night. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 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"