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

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

Compare meaning

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

• velociraptor vs. raptor

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

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

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 started from quite a challenging start point. There has been a lack of trust between the shooting community, for example, and conservationists and raptor workers."

From BBC ● Apr. 11, 2026

In a statement, the non-profit organisation said: "Any incident of raptor persecution is utterly condemnable, with the penalties already including a prison sentence along with an unlimited fine."

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2025

Three more had been knocked over by a tail swipe, and the leader was swinging his billy club uselessly at the tallest raptor.

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

Condors vanished from the state’s North Coast after the arrival of European settlers, who killed other animals with lead bullets and strychnine — poisoning the raptors that feed on carrion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026

It is a place for raptors to rehabilitate.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers