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
Examples of talon in a Sentence
The hawk gripped the mouse in its talons.
Recent Examples on the Web
Having this remarkable 15-pound bird perched on my glove with its 5-inch talons wrapped around my wrist was a profound moment that reminded me of Jim Fowler’s connection with this majestic species and his lifelong passion for wildlife conservation.
—
Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Before her debut album, 2000’s Whoa, Nelly!, grabbed the world by its talons, Nelly Furtado spent months petitioning radio stations to play her songs, sweetening the deal with a free pizza pie.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
Artificial talons have never produced something more authentically wonderful.
—The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Over millions of years, the egg-laying mammal has evolved a duck bill, webbed feet tipped with tiny, venomous talons, as well as a flat, beaver-like tail.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for talon 
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Before her debut album, 2000’s Whoa, Nelly!, grabbed the world by its talons, Nelly Furtado spent months petitioning radio stations to play her songs, sweetening the deal with a free pizza pie.
—Emma Madden, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2024
Artificial talons have never produced something more authentically wonderful.
—The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Over millions of years, the egg-laying mammal has evolved a duck bill, webbed feet tipped with tiny, venomous talons, as well as a flat, beaver-like tail.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for talon
Dictionary Entries Near talon
Cite this Entry
“Talon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talon. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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