raptor

American  

[rap-ter, -tawr] / ˈræp tər, -tɔr /

noun

• raptors
  plural

1. a raptorial bird.

2. Informal. a velociraptor or other small dinosaur with similar characteristics.

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raptor British  

/ ˈræptə /

noun

1. another name for bird of prey

2. informal a carnivorous bipedal dinosaur of the late Cretaceous period

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raptor Scientific  

/ răp′tər /

1. A bird of prey, such as a hawk, eagle, or owl.

2. Any of various mostly small, slender, carnivorous dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Period. Raptors had hind legs that were adapted for leaping and large, curved claws used for grasping and tearing at prey. Raptors were probably related to birds, and some even had feathers.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• raptors
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of raptor

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English raptour “ravener; plunderer; bird of prey,” from Latin raptor “robber, ravager,” equivalent to rap(ere) “to seize by force, plunder” + -tor agent suffix; see rape ¹ -tor

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Compare meaning

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

• velociraptor vs. raptor

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Explanation

A raptor is a bird of prey, a large, strong bird that feeds on smaller animals. Raptors are equipped with sharp talons and beaks for hunting. Raptors are hunters, and they're also big, striking birds — the bald eagle is one example of a raptor. The difference between raptors and other birds that also eat animals (like gulls, for example) is that raptors use not only their beaks, but also their curved talons to catch their prey. Before it came to be used for these birds, raptor meant "abductor," from its Latin meaning, "robber, plunderer, or abductor," from rapere, "to seize."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

raptor raptors

In July 2025, just as the young raptor first flew the nest, experts tracked him for conservation purposes as he flew towards the Middle East.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

The day she arrived, Dr. Kathryn Rasp is shown examining the raptor, stretching out a large wing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

So far, the raptor center says it has ruled out lead poisoning and the presence of swallowed objects, among other things.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Like other unenlagiids, Kank australis possessed the enlarged claw on its second toe that is often associated with raptor dinosaurs.

From Science Daily ● May 29, 2026

In the street ahead, the raptor raised and lowered its clawed feet uneasily, and Riker lifted his rifle, eyes wide.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

These slender, long-winged raptors make an epic annual migration to Africa in winter and return to Europe to nest over summer, often setting up home in agricultural fields.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

The reserve has an osprey platform to attract the raptors and the adults who have nested there are also believed to be first-time parents.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

From the air, a dozen species of raptors scanned the ground for the doomed and the vulnerable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

"This suggests Kank may have been an active fisher, contrasting with common portrayal of raptors as agile terrestrial predators, like Velociraptor from the Northern Hemisphere."

From Science Daily ● May 29, 2026

Both raptors shrieked and landed suddenly, their heads cowed; a low, rattling growl filled the air as they glanced back and forth.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

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