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

The Maitland nonprofit cares for around 800 sick, injured and orphaned birds annually while inviting the public for educational programs and to visit with the center’s 30 resident raptors. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026

The English stage and screen actor starred in numerous British TV shows, notably BBC's Edge of Darkness (1985), before making waves across the pond hunting raptors. —Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026

Sleeman says the good news is raptors appear to be developing somewhat of an immunity to the virus. —John Lauritsen, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Like its raptor relatives, the dinosaur also featured a large, sickle-like claw on its second toe. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026

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"