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

The California condor is the largest land bird in North America.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

“The care and well being that our animal care team provides continues to be innovative and advances the success of the condor program every year.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

From above, a soaring condor scans the terrain and spots easy pickings -- the remains left after hunters have shot a deer, wild pig or some other game animal.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2025

He liked to stretch his arms in condor flight and then wrap them around his body to become the poor woman huddled in a cold, shivering ball.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis