condor

American  

[kon-der, -dawr] / ˈkɒn dər, -dɔr /

noun

1. either of two large, New World vultures of the family Cathartidae, Gymnogyps californianus California condor or Vultur gryphus Andean condor, the largest flying birds in the Western Hemisphere: the California condor is almost extinct; the Andean condor is greatly reduced in number and rare in many areas.

2. a former coin of Chile equal to 10 pesos.

3. a former coin of Ecuador equal to 10 sucres.

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condor British  

/ ˈkɒndɔː /

noun

1. either of two very large rare New World vultures, Vultur gryphus ( Andean condor ), which has black plumage with white around the neck, and Gymnogyps californianus ( California condor ), which is similar but nearly extinct

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Etymology

Origin of condor

First recorded in 1595–1605; from South American Spanish, from Quechua kuntur

Compare meaning

How does condor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• condor vs. vulture

Example Sentences

News of the recently documented breeding behavior has excited condor conservationists beyond Yurok country.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

Hopes are high but tempered; often a condor couple’s first egg doesn’t survive because they’re still figuring out the care process.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

For example, when hiking in Cucamonga, you might spot bighorn sheep, while Magic Mountain is occasionally host to a California condor passing through.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025

The students were bused to the zoo to learn about conservation work focused on species including the California condor and the southern mountain yellow-legged frog.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2024

“The serpent below, the jaguar in the middle, and the condor above, one sitting atop the other. And all three worlds are connected through the spiral.”

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis