aerie

or aer·y

[ air-ee, eer-ee ]

noun

, plural aer·ies.

1. the nest of a bird of prey, as an eagle or a hawk.
2. a lofty nest of any large bird.
3. a house, fortress, or the like, located high on a hill or mountain:

   They felt protected from invaders in the hilltop aerie.

4. an apartment or office on a high floor in a high-rise building:

   a penthouse aerie with a spectacular view.

5. Obsolete. the brood in a nest, especially of a bird of prey.

aerie

/ ˈɪərɪ; ˈɛərɪ /

noun

1. a variant spelling (esp US) of eyrie

Word History and Origins

Origin of aerie¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Anglo-French, Old French airie, equivalent to aire (from Latin ager “field,” presumably “nest” in Vulgar Latin ) + ie; acre, -y ³; compare Medieval Latin aerea, aeria “aerie, brood,” from Old French aire

Example Sentences

If you’re that concerned about missing the political action, just make sure your cabana or mountain aerie has reliable Wi-Fi.

From Los Angeles Times

“How you like us so far?” joked Paul Reiser, the actor and comedian, from one corner of a squishy sofa in McDonald’s Santa Barbara, Calif., aerie on a recent Tuesday morning.

From New York Times

Steers said those are the nicknames for a pair of flying squirrels whom they believe to be neighbors of the eagles in the soaring Jeffrey pine that holds their 5-foot-wide aerie.

From Los Angeles Times

Tan’s gorgeous aerie above San Francisco Bay, with its canopy of four Pacific live oaks, is a paradise for birds, hosting 63 species and counting.

From Los Angeles Times

The four young people who meet regularly in this abandoned aerie are members of a dangerous club.

From Los Angeles Times