predate

1 of 2

verb (1)

pre·​date (ˌ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
predated; predating; predates
Synonyms of predatenext

predate

2 of 2

verb (2)

pre·​date pri-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
predated; predating; predates

transitive + intransitive

: to prey on (something or someone)
Animals predate other animals in nature, but that is hardly commensurate with a massive worldwide farming industry that breeds species purely for our purpose.Jenny Diski
Are high-profile men that sexually predate women finally starting to lose immunity?Alex McKinnon
All cats may predate but those living indoors have little opportunity to do so.Kevin Stafford
There are many species that predate on pigeons and doves.Revati

Synonyms of predate

Examples of predate in a Sentence

Verb (1) modes of transportation that predate the car the native people who predated European settlers in America
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
In 2016, Jelly Roll welcomed his second child, son Noah, from a relationship that predated Bunnie Xo. Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026 But in the past several years, the designer has been collaborating with Native and Indigenous creatives whose crafts and skills predate the concept of American luxury—and even of America itself. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 June 2026 Originally built in 1889 as a toll road between Blowing Rock and Linville, the route predates the Blue Ridge Parkway by decades and connects Blowing Rock, Linville, Banner Elk, Valle Crucis and Boone. Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026 Researchers said the discovery predated Stonehenge by around 500 years. ABC News, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for predate

Word History

Etymology

Verb (2)

back-formation from predator or predatory

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1854, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of predate was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

predate

verb
pre·​date (ˈ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
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