bald eagle

noun

: an eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) of North America that is brown when young with white only on the undersides of the wings but in full adult plumage has white head and neck feathers and a white tail

Illustration of bald eagle

Illustration of bald eagle

Examples of bald eagle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Or maybe a bald eagle on a beer can is just a bald eagle on a beer can. — Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 The pen’s cap features a likeness of a bald eagle with outstretched wings, with the US flag in the background. — Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 Tour the sanctuary to see animals like wolves, bears, mountain lions, and bald eagles cared for in a natural environment. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026 Some marchers wore colonial attire, inflatable bald eagle costumes or dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bald eagle

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bald eagle was in 1688

Rhymes for bald eagle

See All Rhymes for bald eagle

Browse Nearby Words

bald-domed
bald eagle
Balder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bald eagle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bald%20eagle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bald eagle

noun
: a North American eagle which is mostly brown when young but has white head, neck, and tail feathers when mature

More from Merriam-Webster on bald eagle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bald eagle

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