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

Cottontails are strict vegetarians, but unfortunately for them, that’s not the case for the coyotes, bobcats, foxes and raptors that share their surroundings. —Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

There are fewer than 30,000 of these powerful raptors now left in the wild. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026

Overall, avian flu is less deadly for raptors, Hesting said. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025

Owls and other raptors are important parts of the ecosystem, Gillet said. —Sarah Bowman, IndyStar, 15 Dec. 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"