carnivore

noun

car·​ni·​vore ˈkär-nə-ˌvȯr 

1

a

: an animal (such as a dog, fox, crocodile, or shark) that feeds primarily or exclusively on animal matter : a carnivorous animal

Among the plankton are numerous diminutive but voracious carnivores, including small jellyfishes and comb jellies, saber-toothed creatures called arrowworms or chaetognaths, and a host of crustaceans and small fishes.

—Gregory A. Wray

As big as a bull elephant, T. rex weighed 15 times as much as the largest carnivores living on land today.

—Erik Stokstad

Carnivores [=people who eat meat] will appreciate the restaurant's refined version of surf-and-turf: steak au poivre matched with sweet, large prawns.

—Matthew DeBord

b

: any of an order (Carnivora) of animals that feed primarily or exclusively on animal matter : carnivoran

Farther back in their mouths lie some special teeth known as the carnassials. These are the hallmark of the true carnivores, or canivorans—members of a great order of placental mammals, the Carnivora.

—Richard H. Tedford

2

: a carnivorous plant

the Venus flytrap and other carnivores subsisting on insects

Examples of carnivore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The highly-intelligent carnivore then viciously drags its prey into its transport container and begins devouring him alive. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 July 2025

The raw bar offers fresh oysters and caviar, alongside various types British seafood, while the Land section of the menu gives the carnivores among us some fantastic choices. —George Koutsakis, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Examples from places such as Kenya, Belize, and China demonstrate that these adaptations are highly effective at reducing carnivore attacks. —Jonathan C. Slaght, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025

Blend up a protein shake using carnivore protein, Greek yogurt, and whole milk. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin carnivorus

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for carnivore

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore

Kids Definition

carnivore

noun

car·​ni·​vore ˈkär-nə-ˌvō(ə)r 

-ˌvȯ(ə)r

1

: a flesh-eating animal

especially : any of an order of flesh-eating mammals

2

: a plant that traps and digests insects