aerie
Americannoun
plural
aeries-
the nest of a bird of prey, as an eagle or a hawk.
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a lofty nest of any large bird.
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a house, fortress, or the like, located high on a hill or mountain.
They felt protected from invaders in the hilltop aerie.
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an apartment or office on a high floor in a high-rise building.
a penthouse aerie with a spectacular view.
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Obsolete. the brood in a nest, especially of a bird of prey.
noun
Etymology
Origin of aerie
First recorded in 1575–85; from Anglo-French, Old French airie, equivalent to aire (from Latin ager “field,” presumably “nest” in Vulgar Latin ) + ie; see origin at acre, -y 3; compare Medieval Latin aerea, aeria “aerie, brood,” from Old French aire
Explanation
An aerie is the nest of a large bird of prey somewhere high up, such as the branch of a tree or a clifftop. Don't confuse aerie with airy, meaning spacious and well ventilated (though it's a safe bet that given their location most aeries are exactly that). The word also has the meaning of a human residence that's perched high up — particularly an artist's garret, for example, in the eaves of a building.
Vocabulary lists containing aerie
Words of a Feather: Unflappable Avian Vocabulary
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A Walk in the Woods
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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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.
Same-store sales climbed 23% at Aerie, helping boost American Eagle’s overall revenue 10% in the fourth quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
It saw heightened demand across its brands and sales channels, underscored by “outstanding growth” at Aerie as well as Offline, the company’s activewear brand.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 2, 2025
Fire victims can fill out a online Google form and Aerie will immediately ship out a package.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2025
Sales for Aerie, a division that makes activewear, swimsuits and bralettes, recorded a 2% quarterly rise, while its namesake division posted a 1% fall.
From Reuters • Sep. 6, 2023
Victoria’s Secret, the old version, or Dove and Aerie.
From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2022
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.
