raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər How to pronounce raptor (audio) -ˌtȯr How to pronounce raptor (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Granted exclusive access to the nest, the BBC witnessed some of the raptors’ striking feeding behavior, in which the male drops prey in midair and the female rolls upside down to snatch it in her talons. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 The raptors’ breeding population peaked at around 30 breeding pairs in the mid-1950s, decreasing to zero in 1974, before rising to up to 13 pairs in the late 2000s, according to BTO. — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 The life of Big Bear bald eagle Jackie was celebrated during Sunday's Ontario Tower Buzzers game, where thousands paid homage to the beloved raptor that died earlier this month. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 The nest is attractively situated, as any raptor realtor would point out. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raptor

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of raptor was in 1873

Rhymes for raptor

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Browse Nearby Words

Rapti
raptor
Raptores
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Cite this Entry

“Raptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raptor. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Etymology

Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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