eagle

[ ee-guhl ]

noun

1. any of several large, soaring birds of prey belonging to the hawk family Accipitridae, noted for their size, strength, and powers of flight and vision: formerly widespread in North America, eagles are mostly confined to Alaska and a few isolated populations. Compare bald eagle, golden eagle.
2. a figure or representation of an eagle, much used as an emblem:

   the Roman eagle.

3. a standard, seal, or the like bearing such a figure.
4. one of a pair of silver insignia in the shape of eagles with outstretched wings worn by a colonel in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps and by a captain in the U.S. Navy.
5. Eagle, a gold coin of the United States, traded for investment, available in denominations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 dollars containing 1/10 to 1 troy ounce of gold, having on its reverse a picture of an eagle: first issued in 1986.
6. a former gold coin of the United States, issued until 1933, equal to 10 dollars, showing an eagle on its reverse.
7. Golf. a score of two below par for any single hole.
8. Eagle, Astronomy. the constellation Aquila.
9. Cards.
   1. a representation in green of an eagle, used on playing cards to designate a suit in the pack additional to the four standard suits.
   2. a card of a suit so designated.
   3. eagles, the suit itself.

verb (used with object)

, ea·gled, ea·gling.

1. Golf. to make an eagle on (a hole).

eagle

/ ˈiːɡəl /

noun

1. any of various birds of prey of the genera Aquila, Harpia, etc, having large broad wings and strong soaring flight: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc) See also golden eagle harpy eagle sea eagle aquiline
2. a representation of an eagle used as an emblem, etc, esp representing power

   the Roman eagle

3. a standard, seal, etc, bearing the figure of an eagle
4. golf a score of two strokes under par for a hole
5. a former US gold coin worth ten dollars: withdrawn from circulation in 1934
6. the shoulder insignia worn by a US full colonel or equivalent rank

verb

1. golf to score two strokes under par for a hole

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English egle, from Anglo-French, Old French egle, aigle, from Latin aquila, noun use of feminine of aquilus “dark-colored”

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagle¹

C14: from Old French aigle, from Old Provençal aigla, from Latin aquila, perhaps from aquilus dark

Example Sentences

In life it would have been about 2 m in wingspan, similar to that of large birds like the golden eagle.

From Science Daily

The geologically unique area is a spiritual center for the Pit River and Modoc tribes and serves as habitat for protected species, including the bald eagle and northern spotted owl.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 1,300 protected birds of prey – from hen harriers to golden eagles - have been killed across the UK over the past 15 years, according to the RSPB.

From BBC

For birds, eagles and condors are beloved poster children of environmental movements.

From Salon

It’s on the Mexican flag, a golden eagle grasping a snake perched atop a nopal on an island — a reference to the Aztec legend of searching for a new home until encountering that exact scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aviator
• captain
• flier
• leader
• navigator