SKIP TO CONTENT

velociraptor

/vəˌlɑsəˈræptər/
IPA guide

Other forms: velociraptors

A velociraptor was a small dinosaur that lived more than seventy million years ago. You might see a velociraptor skeleton at a natural history museum.

Scientists who study dinosaurs, known as paleontologists, believe that velociraptors had feathers and small, birdlike bones. Velociraptors had a surge in popularity after they were featured in the 1990's series of "Jurassic Park" movies, although they weren't quite accurately portrayed. Most velociraptor fossils have been found in Mongolia. The word velociraptor combines the Latin velox, "swift," and raptor, "robber or plunderer."

Definitions of velociraptor
  1. noun
    small active carnivore that probably fed on protoceratops; possibly related more closely to birds than to other dinosaurs
    see moresee less
    type of:
    maniraptor
    advanced carnivorous theropod
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘velociraptor'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family