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

Jackie, half of Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle couple, has been moved out of intensive care, an encouraging sign for the raptor who was rescued in critical condition earlier this month.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

When the center’s Kristine Koh arrived later to evaluate the raptor, she was awake and alert — but quiet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 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

It isn’t like the houses he passes when they drive to school or the raptor sanctuary.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers

The team then compared its anatomy with fossils from several other groups of meat-eating dinosaurs, including tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, raptors, and other predators that walked on two legs.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026

They compared the fossil with skulls and brain cases from tyrannosaurs, spinosaurs, raptors and other two-legged meat-eating dinosaurs.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

Since the bison arrived, Mr. Skoglund says, songbirds and raptors have multiplied.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 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

Most of the trikes and raptors had been sent down south to fight the Confederates, but every once in a while she’d see one of those too.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

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