velociraptor

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

|Updated on: 18 Jun 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

Science has become a parlor trick when advances in cloning lead to the creation of a Costa Rican theme park with real living velociraptors, T. rexes, and other prehistoric animals.

— pam grady, SFChronicle.com, "Cinematic dinosaurs roared long before the first ‘Jurassic’ movie," 14 June 2018
In key scenes, the velociraptor Blue is essentially an elaborate puppet.

— darryn king, WSJ, "In ‘Jurassic World,’ Old-School Effects Make a Comeback," 13 June 2018
Stan’s boss, Matt (James Van Der Beek), personifies the age’s conspicuous consumption and velociraptor aggression.

— james poniewozik, New York Times, "Review: ‘Pose’ Demands to Be Seen," 1 June 2018
After showing off a demo of SpotMini opening a door like a velociraptor earlier this year, BostonDynamics is demoing their robodogs newest acquired skill.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "BostonDynamic's SpotMini Is Out on Patrol," 10 May 2018
In addition to massive funding in two Kickstarter campaigns, the game sold through its first print run in retail at the pace of a striking velociraptor.

— charlie theel, Ars Technica, "Dinosaur Island review: Get Jurassic on your theme park!," 14 Apr. 2018
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

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.