carrion

noun

car·​ri·​on ˈker-ē-ən 

ˈka-rē-

: dead and putrefying flesh

Vultures live chiefly on carrion.

also : flesh unfit for food

Examples of carrion in a Sentence

Vultures live chiefly on carrion.

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers identified a broad range of mammals, amphibians, fish, reptiles and birds that survive solely or partially on a diet of carrion. —New Atlas, 22 June 2025

For the study, researchers looked at 1,376 vertebrate species known to eat some amount of carrion, ranging from tiger sharks and spotted hyenas to cane toads and common shrews. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025

These vultures rely on powerful soaring techniques and can cover vast distances in search of carrion, making use of rising thermal currents to stay aloft with minimal energy expenditure. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

Raccoons and skunks make excellent neighbors, moving through your yard and neighborhood to dine voraciously on rats, mice, voles and other rodents, along with insects, grubs, carrion and many other less-desirable things in our gardens. —Alison Hermance, Mercury News, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English caroine, from Anglo-French caroine, charoine, from Vulgar Latin *caronia, irregular from Latin carn-, caro flesh — more at carnal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing carrion

• carrion crow

Rhymes for carrion

• arion
• clarion
• hereon
• marian
• parian
• agrarian
• aquarian
• barbarian
• bavarian
• bulgarian
• cimmerian
• hungarian

Kids Definition

carrion

noun

car·​ri·​on ˈkar-ē-ən 

: dead and decaying flesh