raptor

noun

rap·​tor ˈrap-tər How to pronounce raptor (audio) -ˌtȯr How to pronounce raptor (audio)
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
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.
Despite the name, megaraptorans were among the species of raptors made famous by Jurassic Park. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Veterinary pathologists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance performed the necropsy, Fish and Wildlife said in a joint statement with the wildlife alliance and the raptor center. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The results were compared with the skulls of other two-legged meat-eating dinosaurs, such as tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs and raptors. — Archie Clarke, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Time a visit here for one of the daily shows where raptors — owls, falcons, condors and more — fly about with trainers. — Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raptor

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of raptor was in 1873

Rhymes for raptor

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Browse Nearby Words

Rapti
raptor
Raptores
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Cite this Entry

“Raptor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raptor. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Etymology

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

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