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

Without them, rotting carrion — and the potentially harmful bacteria contained within — can proliferate and then spread disease if humans come into close contact or by contaminating water. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025

This striking bird, a relative of the crested caracara, was a scavenger and opportunistic hunter, feeding on seabird eggs, carrion, and small animals. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

In the absence of vultures, carrion accumulated and fueled a rise in smaller scavengers, namely feral dogs and rats. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025

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

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