falcon

noun

fal·​con ˈfal-kən How to pronounce falcon (audio) ˈfȯl- How to pronounce falcon (audio)
also ˈfȯ-kən
1
: any of various hawks trained for use in falconry
especially : peregrine falcon
—used technically only of a female compare tiercel
2
: any of various hawks (family Falconidae) that have long pointed wings, a long tail, and a notched beak and that usually inhabit open areas

Illustration of falcon

Illustration of falcon
  • 1 hood
  • 2 jess
  • 3 gauntlet

Examples of falcon 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.
It surely was meant to evoke Atlanta’s throwback helmet, which is an homage to the team’s original red helmet used from 1966 to 1969 that featured the falcon logo on the sides and the stripes running over the top and down the center. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 This week’s challenge tests your knowledge of distinctive objects that are connected to a particular novel, like the Maltese falcon or the One Ring. — J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2026 The karure finished at the top of the pecking order with more than 25,000 votes, beating previous winners the kākāpō, a large flightless parrot, and the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon, into second and third place, respectively. — Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026 Both vehicles have falcon doors, called a Shahin Wing here, to get in and out of the vehicle. — Chad Kirchner, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for falcon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English faucoun, falcon, from Anglo-French faucon, from Late Latin falcon-, falco, probably from Latin falc-, falx

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of falcon was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing falcon

Rhymes for falcon

See All Rhymes for falcon

Browse Nearby Words

Falco
falcon
falcon-beaked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Falcon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/falcon. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

falcon

noun
fal·​con ˈfal-kən How to pronounce falcon (audio) ˈfȯl- How to pronounce falcon (audio)
also ˈfȯ-kən
1
: a hawk trained for use in falconry
2
: any of various swift hawks with long pointed wings, a long tail, and a notch on the upper half of the beak for killing prey

More from Merriam-Webster on falcon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about falcon

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