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 family-friendly event includes craft booths, interactive games, a live raptor presentation, a DJ playing springtime tunes, food vendors and recreation program demonstrations. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025

Amidst the towering oak trees, visitors can spot fallow, red and roe deer grazing all throughout the year, while the park’s vast plains and jagged rock formations also form the perfect haven for a diverse array of raptors. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

While Waldrop favored raptors — more than half of the collection included hawks, eagles, vultures, falcons, and owls — investigators also noted dozens of duck mounts in the collection. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025

The nonprofit group hosts a live eagle camera, where the eagles’ many dedicated fans can keep up with the raptor family. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 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"