eagle
Americannoun
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any of several large, soaring birds of prey belonging to the hawk family Accipitridae, noted for their size, strength, and powers of flight and vision: formerly widespread in North America, eagles are mostly confined to Alaska and a few isolated populations.
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a figure or representation of an eagle, much used as an emblem.
the Roman eagle.
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a standard, seal, or the like bearing such a figure.
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one of a pair of silver insignia in the shape of eagles with outstretched wings worn by a colonel in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and by a captain in the U.S. Navy.
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Eagle, a gold coin of the United States, traded for investment, available in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 dollars containing 1/10 to 1 troy ounce of gold, having on its reverse a picture of an eagle: first issued in 1986.
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a former gold coin of the United States, issued until 1933, equal to 10 dollars, showing an eagle on its reverse.
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Golf. a score of two below par for any single hole.
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Astronomy. Eagle, the constellation Aquila.
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Cards.
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a representation in green of an eagle, used on playing cards to designate a suit in the pack additional to the four standard suits.
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a card of a suit so designated.
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eagles, the suit itself.
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verb (used with object)
noun
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any of various birds of prey of the genera Aquila, Harpia, etc, having large broad wings and strong soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) See also golden eagle harpy eagle sea eagle
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a representation of an eagle used as an emblem, etc, esp representing power
the Roman eagle
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a standard, seal, etc, bearing the figure of an eagle
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golf a score of two strokes under par for a hole
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a former US gold coin worth ten dollars: withdrawn from circulation in 1934
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the shoulder insignia worn by a US full colonel or equivalent rank
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of eagle
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English egle, from Anglo-French, Old French egle, aigle, from Latin aquila, noun use of feminine of aquilus “dark-colored”
Explanation
An eagle is a large bird that preys on smaller animals. Eagles, like hawks, are birds of prey, or raptors. Eagles are big, grand birds with powerful bodies and broad wings. Their impressive stature is reflected in the fact that they have often stood for power on the coats of arms, seals, and other emblems of various countries, including the United States, which names the bald eagle as its national bird. The Latin root of the word eagle is aquila, "black eagle" or "dark bird."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Polish Order of the White Eagle was bestowed on Zelensky in 2023 by then-President Andrzej Duda.
From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026
Barclays analysts suggest gold’s improved risk/reward could benefit miners like Newmont and Agnico Eagle Mines.
From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026
My favorite one features Trump backstage, flanked by both Hogan and Andre the Giant, holding aloft the Winged Eagle belt, still one of the most iconic titles in the American pro-wrestling hierarchy.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
The bank highlights Newmont, Agnico Eagle and Barrick as having the balance sheet and size to acquire Northern Star whole, should the entire company be sold.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Eagle, which was moored in New York Harbor.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
