raven

1 of 3

noun

ra·​ven ˈrā-vən How to pronounce raven (audio)
: a large, glossy-black bird (Corvus corax) that is widely distributed in northern parts of the northern hemisphere but now rare in most areas of the eastern and central U.S. and that differs from the closely related common crow chiefly in its larger size and wedge-shaped tail and in having the feathers of the throat narrow and pointed resulting in a shaggy appearance
also : any of various usually large and glossy black, corvine birds

Illustration of raven

Illustration of raven

raven

2 of 3

adjective

: shiny and black like a raven's feathers
raven hair

raven

3 of 3

verb

rav·​en ˈra-vən How to pronounce raven (audio)
ravened; ravening ˈra-və-niŋ How to pronounce raven (audio)
ˈrav-niŋ

intransitive verb

1
: to feed greedily
2
: to prowl for food : prey
3

transitive verb

1
: to devour greedily
2
: despoil
men … raven the earth, destroying its resourcesNew Yorker
ravener
ˈra-və-nər How to pronounce raven (audio)
ˈrav-nər
noun

Examples of raven in a Sentence

Adjective had dark eyes and raven hair Verb the rat ravened the poisoned bait just as we had hoped
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There’s been a raven: Daemon gets an update on Ser Criston Cole’s military movements. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 7 July 2024 Currently, there’s not a ton of great data about duck recruitment or survival rates on the prairie (biologists are working on it, and have theories about everything from habitat to predators like ravens). Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Although Cabello spent the summer rocking blond tresses, her hair was a raven black hue. Julia Teti, WWD, 11 Sep. 2024 The ultra-fine rice starch formula doesn’t leave a visible residue, making this a top contender for brunette, raven, and auburn-haired beauties. Maria Conti, Southern Living, 26 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for raven 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'raven.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hræfn; akin to Old High German hraban raven, Latin corvus, Greek korax

Verb

probably verbal derivative of ravin

Note: It is pointed out by the Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, that given the Middle English attestation of the derivatives ravener "plunderer, predatory animal" and ravening "rapacious," this verb may also date to Middle English. Compare Anglo-French raviner "to steal, take away," apparently attested once.

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1637, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of raven was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near raven

Cite this Entry

“Raven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raven. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

raven

1 of 2 noun
ra·​ven ˈrā-vən How to pronounce raven (audio)
: a bird of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and America that has glossy black feathers and is larger than the related crow

raven

2 of 2 adjective
: shiny and black like a raven's feathers
raven hair

More from Merriam-Webster on raven

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!