falcon

[ fawl-kuhn, fal-, faw-kuhn ]

/ ˈfɔl kən, ˈfæl-, ˈfɔ kən /

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noun

any of several birds of prey of the family Falconidae, especially of the genus Falco, usually distinguished by long, pointed wings, a hooked beak with a toothlike notch on each side of the upper bill, and swift, agile flight, typically diving to seize prey: some falcon species are close to extinction.

Falconry.

the female gyrfalcon.
falcon-gentle.
any bird of prey trained for use in falconry. Compare tercel.

a small, light cannon in use from the 15th to the 17th century.

(initial capital letter)Military. a family of air-to-air guided missiles, some of them capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

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Origin of falcon

1200–50; Middle English fauco(u)n, falcon<Anglo-French, Old French faucon<Late Latin falcōn- (stem of falcō) hawk (said to be derivative of falx, stem falc- sickle, referring to the sicklelike talons)

OTHER WORDS FROM falcon

fal·co·nine

[fawl-kuh-nahyn, -nin, fal-, faw-kuh-], /ˈfɔl kəˌnaɪn, -nɪn, ˈfæl-, ˈfɔ kə-/, adjectivefal·co·noid, adjective

Words nearby falcon

falciform, falciform ligament, falciform ligament of liver, falciform process, falciparum malaria, falcon, falconer, falconet, falcon-gentle, falconiform, falconine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use falcon in a sentence

The ability to associate causes with effects—encroaching shadows with dive-bombing falcons, cacti with hidden water sources—gives organisms a leg up on predators and competitors.
How to Unlearn a Disease - Issue 103: Healthy Communication|Kelly Clancy|July 14, 2021|Nautilus
Olear said peregrine falcons go from “helpless little chicks to fledging” in about 44 days, but they are also vulnerable to predators.
The peregrine falcon mostly disappeared. A lone chick took flight at Harpers Ferry for the first time in 70 years.|Dana Hedgpeth|July 2, 2021|Washington Post
A new breed of falcons soars back from brink of extinction in VirginiaIn 1999, peregrine falcons were taken off the endangered species list, although they are still protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The peregrine falcon mostly disappeared. A lone chick took flight at Harpers Ferry for the first time in 70 years.|Dana Hedgpeth|July 2, 2021|Washington Post
Peregrine falcons do not make a nest with sticks and grass, but instead etch or scrape a spot on a rock ledge to lay eggs.
The peregrine falcon mostly disappeared. A lone chick took flight at Harpers Ferry for the first time in 70 years.|Dana Hedgpeth|July 2, 2021|Washington Post

The falcons would prey on small birds that had ingested poisoned insects, and that caused the female falcons to produce eggs that did not have enough calcium, making them crack easily.
The peregrine falcon mostly disappeared. A lone chick took flight at Harpers Ferry for the first time in 70 years.|Dana Hedgpeth|July 2, 2021|Washington Post
And that original score that kicks in as a new-age Millennium Falcon swoops into view is sure to get you going.
Chernobyl Drones, Star Wars and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She went as calm as a hooded falcon after he covered her head with the sheet.
He Faces Jail for Rescuing Baby Eagles|Michael Daly|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The SpaceX Falcon 9v1.1, all privately funded, all domestically sourced, can carry 28,990 lbs.
Why Does the USA Depend on Russian Rockets to Get Us Into Space?|P. J. O’Rourke|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the Falcon is not yet Air Force certified for military and intelligence payloads.
Why Does the USA Depend on Russian Rockets to Get Us Into Space?|P. J. O’Rourke|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are the Tarpon, the Falcon, the Sea Fox, and the Octopus.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hurrying on to find it, Taijo discovered a hut beside the path, into which he saw the falcon fly.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
A few miles in advance of the island stands the beautiful Falcon Rock, like a sentinel upon the look-out.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
He sets out, and on his journey finds a lion, a wolf, and a falcon disputing over the carcase of a horse.
The Three Days' Tournament|Jessie L. Weston
When Aurelian consulted the god of Palmyra (still in spite of Baltus), the god said that the doves fear the falcon.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
Whatever might happen, the god would not be embarrassed; the falcon would be the conqueror, and the doves the conquered.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)

British Dictionary definitions for falcon

falcon

/ (ˈfɔːlkən, ˈfɔːkən) /

noun

any diurnal bird of prey of the family Falconidae, esp any of the genus Falco (gyrfalcon, peregrine falcon, etc), typically having pointed wings and a long tail

any of these or related birds, trained to hunt small game
the female of such a birdCompare tercel Related adjective: falconine

a light-medium cannon used from the 15th to 17th centuries

Word Origin for falcon

C13: from Old French faucon, from Late Latin falcō hawk, probably of Germanic origin; perhaps related to Latin falx sickle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012