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 fish-eating raptor known for gymnastic dives and whistle-like chirps is an American conservation success story.
—
Danny Bakst, Fortune, 13 July 2025
During the Middle Ages, these rare Arctic raptors were considered the ultimate status symbol among European and Middle Eastern nobility.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Ecologists will teach walkers about raptor habitat in the area and native people who lived in the area and their role in recent restoration efforts.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
From tiny hummingbirds to fearsome raptors, the avian biodiversity of South America is truly a wonder to behold, with vast swathes of verdant rainforest, open grassland and glacial fjords all playing host to their own unique array of avian species.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
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Danny Bakst, Fortune, 13 July 2025
During the Middle Ages, these rare Arctic raptors were considered the ultimate status symbol among European and Middle Eastern nobility.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Ecologists will teach walkers about raptor habitat in the area and native people who lived in the area and their role in recent restoration efforts.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
From tiny hummingbirds to fearsome raptors, the avian biodiversity of South America is truly a wonder to behold, with vast swathes of verdant rainforest, open grassland and glacial fjords all playing host to their own unique array of avian species.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 30 June 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 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
raptor
noun
rap·tor
ˈrap-tər 
Etymology
Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"
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