eagle

American  

[ee-guhl] / ˈi gəl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

eagled, eagling

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

eagle British  

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 a former US gold coin worth ten dollars: withdrawn from circulation in 1934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

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of eagle

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”

Explanation

An eagle is a large bird that preys on smaller animals. Eagles, like hawks, are birds of prey, or raptors. Eagles are big, grand birds with powerful bodies and broad wings. Their impressive stature is reflected in the fact that they have often stood for power on the coats of arms, seals, and other emblems of various countries, including the United States, which names the bald eagle as its national bird. The Latin root of the word eagle is aquila, "black eagle" or "dark bird."

Example Sentences

She wanted to replace the old label, which hadn’t really changed since the 1950s—a parchment-style paper label that included an American eagle.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

With Big Bear Lake glittering in the distance, he raises each foot in a kneading motion — evoking a bald eagle massage.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

On a recent Sunday afternoon, a bald eagle lazily flew back and forth over the spot where Semple Run feeds into Conococheague Creek.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

Following the re-introduction of the sea eagle, the only other UK apex predator, Scottish farmers reported having to abandon their hill farms after the birds decimated their lamb populations.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

One man mailed an eagle feather, suggesting that Garfield make a pen from it to sign his first official document after he recovered.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator