eyrie

American  

[air-ee, eer-ee] / ˈɛər i, ˈɪər i /

Or eyry

noun

plural

eyries

1. aerie.

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eyrie British  

/ ˈɪərɪ, ˈaɪərɪ, ˈɛərɪ /

noun

1. the nest of an eagle or other bird of prey, built in a high inaccessible place

2. the brood of a bird of prey, esp an eagle

3. any high isolated position or place

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Etymology

Origin of eyrie

C16: from Medieval Latin airea, from Latin ārea open field, hence nest

Explanation

An eyrie is the nest of a bird of prey such as an eagle or hawk. Eyries are perched high, in tall trees or on cliffs. You've probably seen a bird's nest or two, but you may not have seen an eyrie. That's because eyries are very high up. Some eyries are in enormous trees, while others are on the sides of cliffs and mountains. This keeps the bird's nest very safe from other animals, but the birds who make eyries are dangerous: hunting birds such as eagles, falcons, and hawks. After killing and eating its prey, an eagle will return to its eyrie.

Example Sentences

It is one of the few hyper-luxury apartment buildings that actually has the ethereal aura you would expect – a fitting costume for the eyrie of an untouchable elite.

From The Guardian • Feb. 5, 2019

Iman would say her husband, secluded in his rooftop eyrie overlooking downtown New York, was always working, that he read the British papers, avidly kept up with the nation’s political news.

From The Guardian • Jan. 16, 2016

And my younger eyes loved the view from that eyrie.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2011

That eyrie high above Manhattan is symbolic of King's position as the most audacious and suddenly the most powerful promoter in sport�and one of the most successful black businessmen in America.

From Time Magazine Archive

He kept his eye on the eyrie skating platform and obviously he couldn’t go with Doc to La Jolla.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck