eagle
Americannoun
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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.
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a figure or representation of an eagle, much used as an emblem.
the Roman eagle.
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a standard, seal, or the like bearing such a figure.
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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.
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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.
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a former gold coin of the United States, issued until 1933, equal to 10 dollars, showing an eagle on its reverse.
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Golf. a score of two below par for any single hole.
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Astronomy. Eagle, the constellation Aquila.
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Cards.
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a representation in green of an eagle, used on playing cards to designate a suit in the pack additional to the four standard suits.
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a card of a suit so designated.
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eagles, the suit itself.
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verb (used with object)
noun
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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
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a representation of an eagle used as an emblem, etc, esp representing power
the Roman eagle
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a standard, seal, etc, bearing the figure of an eagle
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golf a score of two strokes under par for a hole
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a former US gold coin worth ten dollars: withdrawn from circulation in 1934
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the shoulder insignia worn by a US full colonel or equivalent rank
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“We do have to realize he is a wild and free eagle, and it is up to Shadow what direction he goes,” the post states.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
While the San Dimas rescue personnel sometimes used “she” to refer to the eagle, they clarified it could be male or female.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
A bald eagle believed to be Jackie, star of a Big Bear nest cam, is in stable condition at a rehabilitation center after being rescued over the weekend, according to the nonprofit behind the livestream.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
A brief exam revealed the eagle was quite underweight and weak, and her feet were caked with mud.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
One day he chanced to see a mighty eagle, greater and more splendid than any mortal bird, bearing a maiden to an island not far away.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Originally designed to evoke a classic Greek column, the structure's limestone, brick and terra-cotta exterior features ornamentation including lion heads, wreaths, eagles, and faces.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
This comes as conservationists at the estate introduced new freshwater habitats, providing a refuge for the heron, but also water voles, otters, pine martens, and even white-tailed eagles.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
"It was full of beaches, sand beaches, good fishing, good hunting - the wildlife was beautiful. We had eagles that were always there," she said.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
While on the ground, the eagle was seen in a fight with two sub-adult eagles, according to the nonprofit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
“Frank spotted some eagles over Salt Lake City. We figure the Romans aren’t far behind us.”
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Lee birdied seven of the first 15 holes and eagled the par-five 17th before a closing bogey at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
From Barron's ● Nov. 20, 2025
McIlroy then eagled the 10th to move to five under.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2025
Arnaus played at Carnoustie, where he birdied five straight holes from No. 17 after starting at the 10th, and also eagled the par-5 14th hole.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2023
McCarthy eagled the par-4 14th, hitting a 342-drive onto the green and making a 30-foot putt, then rebounded from a bogey on 16 with a birdie on 17.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 8, 2023
It lay there, spread eagled in eight directions, on the salt.
From Do Unto Others by Clifton, Mark
Beckman birdied the 18th for a 71 a day after eagling the hole for a 64.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 5, 2022
After that went away, she parred the dangerous 12th before eagling No. 13 to start her torrid finish to top Arkansas’ Maria Fassi.
From Golf Digest ● Apr. 8, 2019
He had a bogey-free round, opening with a birdie on the par-5 first, eagling the par-5 seventh and adding birdies on the par-4 ninth and 16th.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 12, 2017
Cook played the back nine in a tournament-record 8-under 27, eagling the par-4 14th and par-5 17th.
From New York Times ● Sep. 25, 2010
If not un-Englishing America in mind And heart forever, vain the shrieks Of Freedom, eagling back to dawn's first streaks.
From Freedom, Truth and Beauty by Doyle, Edward
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
