golden eagle

American  

noun

golden eagles plural

1. a large eagle, Aquila chrysaëtos, of the Northern Hemisphere, having golden-brown feathers on the back of the head and neck.

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golden eagle British  

noun

1. a large eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, of mountainous regions of the N hemisphere, having a plumage that is golden brown on the back and brown elsewhere

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• golden eagles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of golden eagle

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

The wingspan of an adult bald eagle ranges from 5.5 to 8 feet across; it’s roughly the same for a golden eagle.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2025

In life it would have been about 2 m in wingspan, similar to that of large birds like the golden eagle.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

Fish and Wildlife Service to take a bald or golden eagle for religious purposes, and enrolled tribal members can apply for eagle feathers and other parts from the National Eagle Repository.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2024

She noted that the trees are important shelter and habitat for species like the golden eagle, other raptors and even the threatened desert tortoise.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023

Behind him stood a collection of ruined emblems, tattered banners, and a large golden eagle on a staff of iron.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan