any of several birds of prey of the family Falconidae, esp. of the genus Falco, usually distinguished by long, pointed wings, a hooked beak with a toothlike notch on each side of the upper bill, and swift, agile flight, typically diving to seize prey

some falcon species are close to extinction.

Falconry .

the female gyrfalcon.

falcon-gentle.

any bird of prey trained for use in falconry. Compare tercel .

a small, light cannon in use from the 15th to the 17th century.

( initial capital letter ) Military . a family of air-to-air guided missiles, some of them capable of carrying nuclear warheads.