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

Birders come for the migrating raptors and shorebirds, while beachgoers arrive with shelling bags, fishing poles, or kayaks bound for the calmer bay side. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Condors vanished from the state’s North Coast after the arrival of European settlers, who killed other animals with lead bullets and strychnine — poisoning the raptors that feed on carrion. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

In the early 1960s, the peregrine falcon population declined so sharply that the raptors weren't even nesting in Pennsylvania. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

If successful, the F-47 prototype will be the first of a fleet of at least 185 fighters that will replace the Lockheed Martin F-22 raptor on a one-for-one basis. —David Szondy march 01, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 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"