An aerie is the nest of a large bird of prey, built high up on a cliff, mountaintop, or tall tree. Eagles, hawks, and falcons construct their aeries in these lofty spots, safe from predators that can't climb so high. Picture a massive nest made of sticks and branches, perched on a rocky ledge hundreds of feet above the ground, with a commanding view of the valleys and forests below.

These birds choose high locations for good reasons: they can spot prey from far away, their eggs and chicks stay protected from ground-dwelling hunters, and they have a clear flight path for taking off and landing. Some aeries are used year after year, with the birds adding more material each season until the nest becomes enormous, sometimes weighing hundreds of pounds.

The word can also describe any high, remote dwelling place. A cabin built at the very top of a mountain, or an apartment on the highest floor of a tall building with spectacular views, might be called an aerie. Like the eagle's nest, these places feel removed from the everyday world, offering a private retreat high above everything else.

Aerie is sometimes spelled eyrie, especially in British English, but both spellings mean the same thing.