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
The Avian Reconditioning Center (ARC) works with raptors that have been inactive for an extended period of time while recovering from illness or injury.
—
Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Those birds, following Lake Michigan’s shoreline, include raptors, waterfowl, gulls, terns and shorebirds.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Several species of raptors, including hawks and owls, were illegally shot and killed in southern Utah over the last few months, wildlife officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2025
But the raptors are notoriously sensitive to environmental changes.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
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Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Those birds, following Lake Michigan’s shoreline, include raptors, waterfowl, gulls, terns and shorebirds.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
Several species of raptors, including hawks and owls, were illegally shot and killed in southern Utah over the last few months, wildlife officials said.
—Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2025
But the raptors are notoriously sensitive to environmental changes.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for raptor
Cite this Entry
“Raptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raptor. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
raptor
noun
rap·tor
ˈrap-tər 
Etymology
Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"
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