eagle

[ee-guhl]

noun

1. any of several large, soaring birds of prey belonging to the hawk family Accipitridae, noted for their size, strength, and powers of flight and vision: formerly widespread in North America, eagles are mostly confined to Alaska and a few isolated populations.

2. a figure or representation of an eagle, much used as an emblem.

   the Roman eagle.

3. a standard, seal, or the like bearing such a figure.

4. one of a pair of silver insignia in the shape of eagles with outstretched wings worn by a colonel in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and by a captain in the U.S. Navy.

5. Eagle, a gold coin of the United States, traded for investment, available in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 dollars containing 1/10 to 1 troy ounce of gold, having on its reverse a picture of an eagle: first issued in 1986.

6. a former gold coin of the United States, issued until 1933, equal to 10 dollars, showing an eagle on its reverse.

7. Golf.,  a score of two below par for any single hole.

8. Astronomy.,  Eagle, the constellation Aquila.

9. Cards.

   1. a representation in green of an eagle, used on playing cards to designate a suit in the pack additional to the four standard suits.

   2. a card of a suit so designated.

   3. eagles, the suit itself.

verb (used with object)

eagled, eagling 

1. Golf.,  to make an eagle on (a hole).

eagle

/ ˈiːɡəl /

noun

1. any of various birds of prey of the genera Aquila, Harpia, etc, having large broad wings and strong soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) See also golden eagle harpy eagle sea eagle

2. a representation of an eagle used as an emblem, etc, esp representing power

   the Roman eagle

3. a standard, seal, etc, bearing the figure of an eagle

4. golf a score of two strokes under par for a hole

5. a former US gold coin worth ten dollars: withdrawn from circulation in 1934

6. the shoulder insignia worn by a US full colonel or equivalent rank

verb

1. golf to score two strokes under par for a hole

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English egle, from Anglo-French, Old French egle, aigle, from Latin aquila, noun use of feminine of aquilus “dark-colored”

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagle¹

C14: from Old French aigle, from Old Provençal aigla, from Latin aquila, perhaps from aquilus dark

Example Sentences

McIlroy backed off a putt for an eagle three after a shout disrupted his concentration.

From BBC

His playing partner Shane Lowry then drained a hole-winning eagle putt and wildly celebrated, animatedly pointing and shouting an expletive in the vicinity of where the original abuse had come from.

From BBC

Investigators appealed for the public's help identifying the suspect, who was wearing sunglasses, Converse shoes and a "distinctive" long-sleeved black top featuring an American flag and an eagle.

From BBC

Big Bear’s beloved eagle couple Jackie and Shadow could be getting dozens of new neighbors, ruffling the feathers of advocates who say it will disturb the endangered raptors.

From Los Angeles Times

If McIlroy had missed that eagle attempt, the Swede would already have been champion.

From BBC

Related Words

• aviator 
• captain 
• flier 
• leader 
• navigator