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

Cooper’s hawks are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as well as state law, which protects all raptors. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Images provided by the Department of Fish and Wildlife show the raptor sipping from what appears to be a BuzzBallz ready-to-drink cocktail in its green, spherical container. —Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026

By mid-February, raptors, including hawks and eagles, begin migrating north. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

The institute oversees the annual Hawk Watch educational program that features falcons and ambassador raptors at the Ramona Grasslands in January and February. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 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"