any diurnal bird of prey of the genus Circus, having broad wings and long legs and tail and typically preying on small terrestrial animals: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc)
See also marsh harrier, Montagu's harrier
harrier in British English2
(ˈhærɪə)
noun
1.
a smallish breed of hound used originally for hare-hunting
2.
a cross-country runner
Word origin
C16: from hare + -er1; influenced by harrier1
Harrier in British English
(ˈhærɪə)
noun
a British subsonic multipurpose military jet plane capable of vertical takeoff and landing by means of vectoring the engine thrust
harrier in American English1
(ˈhæriər)
noun
1.
any of a breed of hound similar to but smaller than the English foxhound, used in packs for hunting hares and rabbits
2. [pl.]
a pack of such dogs and the hunters in a hunt
3.
a cross-country runner
Word origin
< hare + -ier
harrier in American English2
(ˈhæriər)
noun
1.
a person who harries
2.
any of a genus (Circus) of hawks that prey on small mammals, reptiles, etc., as the marsh hawk
Examples of 'harrier' in a sentence
harrier
There's no difference between that and killing hen harriers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The hen harriers look unlike to breed this year, but individuals are still around.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is just another step along the way that will lead to the extinction of hen harriers as a breeding bird in England.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The naturalists will be angry tomorrow, but it's hard to see anger doing any practical good for hen harriers.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In Suffolk we have marsh harriers, birds that were once reduced to a single breeding pair in the entire country.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There's the exciting prospect of hen harriers reclaiming ancient territories where the breed may not have lived for more than 200 years.