English Reference
noun · verb

eagle

n. · v.
US /ˈiɡəɫ/ UK /ˈiːɡəl/ ea·gle UK spelling eagle's, eagle's, eagled, eagling

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    n.a large, strong bird that hunts animals for food and has very good eyesight.

    n.any of several large, diurnal birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, characterized by a powerful hooked beak and exceptionally keen vision.

    Simple

    We watched the eagle soar high above the mountains looking for its next meal.

    In context

    The golden eagle is a formidable predator, capable of diving at immense speeds to snatch small mammals from the alpine meadows below.

    bird of preyraptor
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    n.a score in golf where you finish a hole in two strokes less than the standard number.

    n.a score of two strokes under par on a single hole.

    Simple

    He was thrilled to hit an eagle on the fifth hole during the tournament.

    In context

    Achieving an eagle on a par-five requires both a powerful drive and a precise approach shot to the green.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency American EnglishArchaicTechnical

    n.a gold coin worth ten dollars that was used in the United States in the past.

    n.a former gold coin of the United States with a face value of ten dollars.

    Simple

    The museum displayed a rare gold eagle from the nineteenth century.

    In context

    Numismatists highly prize the 1907 Saint-Gaudens double eagle for its intricate design and historical significance in American coinage.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Sport

    v.to complete a hole in golf in two strokes under par.

    v.to achieve a score of two under par on a hole; used transitively or intransitively.

    Simple

    She managed to eagle the final hole to win the championship.

    In context

    Few players in the field were able to eagle the long par-five, given the difficult pin placement and heavy winds.


* As an English surname, from the noun eagle. * As an English surname of Norman origin, from L'Aigle in Orne, first attested in 1055 and from Latin aquila, itself meaning "eagle." * Also translated from names in other languages meaning "eagle," such as German Adler, Polish Orzeł, Orzel, Slovene Orel, Lakota waŋbli (compare Eagleman, Redeagle, Whiteeagle). * The name of the English village is believed to be from Old English āc (“oak”) + lēah: compare with Acle.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old English āc
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated