raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər  -ˌtȯr 

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 Red Hawks image will be a fierce-looking, solid-red raptor. —Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026

The Veterinary Medical Complex is expected to include a veterinary education pavilion, primary care hospital, small animal hospital, large animal hospital, veterinary cancer center, raptor center facilities and a spay and neuter clinic, according to the project’s website. —Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026

The dynamic beach and dune habitats there are home to a whopping 370 different bird species, from migratory waterfowl to shorebirds to raptors. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026

Following the rescue, Rob Hope — manager of the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, which is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of raptors — told CTV News that fights among eagles are quite common as mating season approaches. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for raptor

• apter
• captor
• chapter
• adapter
• adaptor
• subchapter

Kids Definition

raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər 

: bird of prey

Etymology

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