peregrine falcon

noun

: a swift nearly cosmopolitan falcon (Falco peregrinus) often used in falconry

called also peregrine

Illustration of peregrine falcon

Illustration of peregrine falcon

Examples of peregrine falcon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In contrast, peregrine falcons that breed in Alaska migrate almost directly south, dispersing across the Americas to wintering grounds that extend as far as southern South America. — Amy L. Scarpignato, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 The peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird once pushed to the brink of extinction in the United States, has recovered enough to be taken off the endangered species list. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Mount Olympus is also home to 30 species of mammals and 100 species of birds, with birdwatchers spotting golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and hawks soaring above the mountain’s peak. — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 With an ecosystem as capricious as this, the local wildlife is born and bred to go with the flow—think gentle-but-giant humpback whales, colonies of industrious beavers, and torpedoing peregrine falcons, the fastest animals on Earth. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peregrine falcon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English faukon peregryn, from Medieval Latin falco peregrinus, literally, pilgrim falcon; from the young being captured wandering from their nests, which were too inaccessible to reach easily

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peregrine falcon was in the 14th century

Rhymes for peregrine falcon

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Browse Nearby Words

peregrine
peregrine falcon
peregrinism
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Cite this Entry

“Peregrine falcon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peregrine%20falcon. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

peregrine falcon

noun
per·​e·​grine falcon
ˈper-ə-grən-, 
-ˌgrēn-
: a dark swift widely distributed falcon that can be tamed and trained to hunt game

called also peregrine

More from Merriam-Webster on peregrine falcon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peregrine falcon

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