gyrfalcon

noun

gyr·​fal·​con ˈjər-ˌfal-kən How to pronounce gyrfalcon (audio)
-ˌfȯl-
also -ˌfȯ-kən
: an arctic falcon (Falco rusticolus) that occurs in several color forms and is the largest of all falcons

Illustration of gyrfalcon

Illustration of gyrfalcon

Examples of gyrfalcon 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.
In the catalogue, the curator Emily Liebert tells the story of Puryear’s childhood encounter with John James Audubon’s portraits of two gyrfalcons, one white and one black, the result of environmental adaptation. — Susan Tallman, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2025 Moose browse along the Colville River, the largest river on the North Slope, while peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons and rough-legged hawks nest on the cliffs above. — Mariah Meek, The Conversation, 30 June 2025 Kings of Norway and Denmark offered gyrfalcons as tribute or diplomatic gifts to other monarchs. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Swanson guided the raptor — a hybrid of the Arctic gyrfalcon and Western U.S. prairie falcon, which can dive at speeds of around 100 miles per hour — onto his leather-gloved fist and walked with Savastano and Gillian up onto the boardwalk. — New York Times, 23 June 2022 See All Example Sentences for gyrfalcon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gerfaucun, from Anglo-French girfauc, girfaucon, probably from gir vulture (from Old High German gīr) + faucon falcon

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gyrfalcon was in the 14th century

Rhymes for gyrfalcon

See All Rhymes for gyrfalcon

Browse Nearby Words

gyrene
gyrfalcon
Gyrinidae
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gyrfalcon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gyrfalcon. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gyrfalcon

noun
gyr·​fal·​con ˈjər-ˌfal-kən How to pronounce gyrfalcon (audio)
-ˌfȯl-;
-ˌfȯ-kən
: an arctic falcon that occurs in shades of white, gray, or dark brown and is the largest of all falcons

More from Merriam-Webster on gyrfalcon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gyrfalcon

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