predate

1 of 2

verb (1)

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

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Few college bars feature food, and what is offered can only be cooked through a fryer full of grease that predates the Siege of Vicksburg. Mac Engel may 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025 Some of them were things that predated the trail construction, including hunks of rebar, a concrete road barrier that apparently had been in the creek for many years, and an assortment of shopping carts. John Meyer, Denver Post, 8 May 2025 Additionally, China continues to prioritize boosting domestic consumption—a central theme that predated the tariff disputes. Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 Of his friendship with the bodybuilder-actor-politician, DeVito noted that their bond predated their 1988 comedy about an unlikely pair of brothers. Jen Juneau, People.com, 5 May 2025 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 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

predate

verb
pre·​date (ˈ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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