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peregrine falcon
noun
: a swift nearly cosmopolitan falcon (Falco peregrinus) often used in falconry
called also peregrine
Examples of peregrine falcon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The landscape is also a bird-watchers’ dream, drawing hawks, eagles, peregrine falcons, and swifts.
—Alison Osius, Outside Online, 1 Nov. 2024
Practice Makes Perfect by Jack Zhi Adult peregrine falcons are formidable hunters: Capable of diving at a breakneck 200 miles per hour to snatch prey out of the sky, the birds attain the fastest speeds on Earth.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024
But this juvenile peregrine falcon isn’t quite ready to take its place amid the more experienced, exacting predators of the species.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024
Temporary route closure due to nesting falcons is typical each spring in order to protect nesting prairie and peregrine falcons.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English faukon peregryn, from Medieval Latin falco peregrinus, literally, pilgrim falcon; from the young being captured wandering from their nests, which were too inaccessible to reach easily
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of peregrine falcon was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near peregrine falcon
Cite this Entry
“Peregrine falcon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peregrine%20falcon. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
peregrine falcon
noun
per·e·grine falcon
ˈper-ə-grən-,
-ˌgrēn-
: a dark swift widely distributed falcon that can be tamed and trained to hunt game
called also peregrine
More from Merriam-Webster on peregrine falcon
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peregrine falcon
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