hawk

¹ American  

[hawk] / hɔk /

noun

1. any of numerous birds of prey of the family Accipitridae, having a short, hooked beak, broad wings, and curved talons, often seen circling or swooping at low altitudes.

2. any of several similar, unrelated birds, as the nighthawk.

3. Informal. a person who preys on others, as a con artist.

4. Also called war hawk.  Informal. a person, especially one in public office, who advocates war or a belligerent national attitude.

5. any person who pursues an aggressive policy in business, government, etc..

   The corporation is now run by a bunch of young hawks.

6. Economics. an official or advisor who advocates relatively high interest rates or other monetary policies aimed at keeping inflation low.

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verb (used without object)

1. to fly, or hunt on the wing, like a hawk.

2. to hunt with hawks.

hawk ² American  

[hawk] / hɔk /

verb (used with object)

1. to peddle or offer for sale by calling aloud in public.

2. to advertise or offer for sale.

   to hawk soap on television.

3. to spread (rumors, news, etc.).

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verb (used without object)

1. to carry wares about for sale; peddle.

hawk ³ American  

[hawk] / hɔk /

verb (used without object)

1. to make an effort to raise phlegm from the throat; clear the throat noisily.

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verb (used with object)

1. to raise by noisily clearing the throat.

   to hawk phlegm up.

noun

1. a noisy effort to clear the throat.

hawk ⁴ American  

[hawk] / hɔk /

noun

1. a small, square board with a handle underneath it, used by plasterers and masons to hold plaster or mortar being applied.

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Hawk ⁵ American  

[hawk] / hɔk /

noun

Military.

1. a medium-range, mobile U.S. surface-to-air missile system.

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hawk ¹ British  

/ hɔːk /

noun

1. any of various diurnal birds of prey of the family Accipitridae, such as the goshawk and Cooper's hawk, typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

2. any of various other falconiform birds, including the falcons but not the eagles or vultures

3. a person who advocates or supports war or warlike policies Compare dove 1

4. a ruthless or rapacious person

5. to be able to judge things; be discerning

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verb

1. (intr) to hunt with falcons, hawks, etc

2. (intr) (of falcons or hawks) to fly in quest of prey

3. to pursue or attack on the wing, as a hawk

hawk ² British  

/ hɔːk /

verb

1. (intr) to clear the throat noisily

2. (tr) to force (phlegm) up from the throat

3. a slang word for spit 1

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noun

1. a noisy clearing of the throat

hawk ³ British  

/ hɔːk /

verb

1. to offer (goods) for sale, as in the street

2. to spread (news, gossip, etc)

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hawk ⁴ British  

/ hɔːk /

noun

1. Also called: mortar board.  a small square board with a handle underneath, used for carrying wet plaster or mortar

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hawk Idioms  

1. see watch like a hawk.

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Other Word Forms

• hawklike adjective

Etymology

Origin of hawk¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English hauk(e), Old English hafoc; cognate with Old Frisian havek, Old Saxon habuc, Old High German habuh, Old Norse haukr “hawk”

Origin of hawk²

First recorded in 1470–80; back formation from hawker ²

Origin of hawk³

First recorded in 1575–85; imitative

Origin of hawk⁴

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; perhaps variant of hache “battle-ax” ( hatchet )

Origin of Hawk⁵

H(oming) A(ll the) W(ay) K(iller)

Example Sentences

Will, a tutor, is trapped inside teaching Latin the first time he spots his future bride romping around in the grass with a hawk on her arm.

From Los Angeles Times

While the hawks could win the December debate, the doves’ case appears stronger for 2026.

From MarketWatch

More vegetation along the wetlands means better nesting for mallards, northern harrier hawks and other species.

From Los Angeles Times

At other times you might scan the faces in a crowded room where Lynn’s mother learns to hawk skin-care products in hopes of making a few extra yuan.

From Los Angeles Times

President Biden’s pause of tariffs on Chinese solar panels is splitting Democrats into dueling camps: climate hawks and China hawks.

From Washington Times