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
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Their talons also curve more sharply than those of other raptors, and their footpads are equipped with tiny spines that act like Velcro against fish scales.
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Birds of prey, also called raptors, are vulnerable to accidents with powerlines, poisoning and other human and natural hazards.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
The raptors’ recovery after DDT was banned in 1972 has been hailed as an environmental success story.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
Crater Lake National Park is teeming with wildlife, from black bears and elk to some 84 species of songbirds and raptors.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 May 2025
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Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Birds of prey, also called raptors, are vulnerable to accidents with powerlines, poisoning and other human and natural hazards.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
The raptors’ recovery after DDT was banned in 1972 has been hailed as an environmental success story.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
Crater Lake National Park is teeming with wildlife, from black bears and elk to some 84 species of songbirds and raptors.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 May 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 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
raptor
noun
rap·tor
ˈrap-tər 
Etymology
Latin raptor "plunderer," from rapere "to seize"
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