talon

noun

tal·​on ˈta-lən 

1

a

: the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey

b

: a finger or hand of a human being

2

: a part or object shaped like or suggestive of a heel or claw: such as

a

: an ogee molding

b

: the shoulder of the bolt of a lock on which the key acts to shoot the bolt

3

a

: cards laid aside in a pile in solitaire

b

: stock sense 5c

taloned

ˈta-lənd 

adjective

Examples of talon in a Sentence

The hawk gripped the mouse in its talons.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the top of the food chain, the bald eagle dominates in the sky alone with its impressive wingspan and sharp talons. —Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2026

Like the name implies, the shape resembles an animal’s talons with its extremely curved line ending in a sharp point. —Diana Tsui, Footwear News, 15 May 2026

The bald eagle holds arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other — power and peace, force and restraint. —Patrick Mendis, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026

Her nails are down to the quick, except for her thumbs, which feature inch-long talons covered in fancy silver swirls. —ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taloun heel, hind claw of a bird of prey, from Anglo-French talun, from Vulgar Latin *talon-, *talo, from Latin talus ankle, anklebone

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for talon

• alan
• ballon
• gallon
• concanavalin
• enkephalin
• trifluralin

Kids Definition

talon

noun

tal·​on ˈtal-ən 

: the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey

Medical Definition

talon

noun

tal·​on ˈtal-ən 

: the crushing region of the crown of an upper molar