predate

1 of 2

verb (1)

pre·​date (ˌ)prē-ˈdāt 

predated; predating; predates

transitive verb

: antedate

predate

2 of 2

verb (2)

pre·​date pri-ˈdāt 

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

Verb (1)

• precede

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

Verb

The landfill, which predates the City of Calabasas, has existed since 1961. —Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

What North Texas was like 1,100 years ago Trinity’s life predated the European discovery of the New World by some 600 years. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026

The war in Iran has exposed a gap in American preparedness that predates this conflict — and will outlast it. —Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026

Of these, 181 samples predate the Neolithic period when farming began, or roughly before 10,000 years ago. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for predate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

predate

verb

pre·​date (ˈ)prē-ˈdāt 

: antedate sense 1