velociraptor

noun ve·loc·i·rap·tor \ və-ˈlä-sə-ˌrap-tər \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of velociraptor

: any of a genus (Velociraptor) of theropod dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous having a long head with a flat snout and a large sickle-shaped claw on the second toe of each foot

Recent Examples of velociraptor from the Web

First a Tyrannosaurus rex appeared on the table, followed by a velociraptor and a stegosaurus.

— kate elizabeth queram, Howard County Times, "In a Howard County classroom, dinosaurs, chariots and tornadoes become lifelike," 30 Mar. 2018
That's like in Jurassic Park when the velociraptors figured out how to open doors.

— jayme deerwester, USA TODAY, "Late-night hosts offer Trump ideas on which TV personality he should recruit next," 16 Mar. 2018
Instead, the two-legged predator was more akin to velociraptors with sharp teeth and bony eyebrow crests.

— mika mckinnon, Smithsonian, "Newly Discovered Dino Had a Rainbow of Shiny Feathers," 16 Jan. 2018
This dinosaur group, which included bloodthirsty killing-machines like the Tyrannosaurus rex and velociraptor, was notorious for sharp, serrated teeth that many used to eviscerate prey and strip flesh clean from bones.

— nicholas st. fleur, New York Times, "How Dinosaurs Swapped Terrifying Teeth for Bird Beaks," 26 Sep. 2017
People often associate feathers with flight, but the predatory dinosaurs who sported them — which could include the T. rex and velociraptors — used them in many ways, Egerton and Manning said.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Children's Museum unveils feathered Tyrannosaurus rex sculpture — a rare find in North America," 14 Oct. 2017
For instance, according to the formula, velociraptors likely darted along at 31 miles per hour while T-Rex lumbered around at about half that speed, Hood reports.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "What Is the Key to Predict Animal Speed?," 18 July 2017
The velociraptor kitchen scene and the porta-potty tragedy remain quality movie milestones for thousands of fans, along with any scene starring Jeff Goldblum (and his hot body).

— peggy truong, Seventeen, "The Best Summer Movies of All Time," 6 May 2017
For instance, according to the formula, velociraptors likely darted along at 31 miles per hour while T-Rex lumbered around at about half that speed, Hood reports.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "What Is the Key to Predict Animal Speed?," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'velociraptor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.