peregrine
Americanadjective
-
foreign; alien; coming from abroad.
-
wandering, traveling, or migrating.
noun
adjective
-
coming from abroad
-
travelling or migratory; wandering
Other Word Forms
- peregrinity noun
Etymology
Origin of peregrine
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin peregrīnus foreign, derivative of peregrē abroad, literally, through (i.e., beyond the borders of ) the field, equivalent to per- per- + -egr-, combining form of ager field + -ē adv. suffix; -ine 1
Explanation
A peregrine is a fairly common type of raptor, or hunting bird. While peregrines are about the size of a crow, they are much fiercer predators. You can also call a peregrine a peregrine falcon. In falconry, the training of hawks and falcons for hunting, peregrines are popular. These birds are found everywhere on earth with just a few exceptions. The word peregrine has a Latin root, peregrinus, "coming from foreign parts" — these birds tend to be caught during migration rather than taken from the nest. Peregrine is also used to simply mean "migratory" or "foreign."
Vocabulary lists containing peregrine
A Lexical Zoo of Animal Adjectives
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My Side of the Mountain
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On the Far Side of the Mountain
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sequoia National Park is home to the world’s largest trees and iconic birds including peregrine falcons and bald eagles.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025
You might spot a peregrine falcon or other raptor, including kestrels, which nest there.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2024
The incident at St Peter and St Paul's church in Cromer, Norfolk, caused the female peregrine to leave her nest and chick "for a considerable amount of time", police said.
From BBC • May 30, 2024
A laser beamed into a bird box has disturbed nesting peregrine falcons.
From BBC • May 30, 2024
“A very gentlemanly exhibition,” add the peregrine, not minding that Captain Balan had spoken before her.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
