Definition of predation
1 : the act of preying or plundering : depredation
2 : a mode of life in which food is primarily obtained by the killing and consuming of animals
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of predation from the Web
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Forgive my sarcasm; predation brings out the worst in me.
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Dale Kasler: 916-321-1066, @dakasler Related stories from The Sacramento Bee New wolf enters Northeastern California from Oregon First California gray wolf predation event in nearly 100 years recorded Never miss a local story.
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Dale Kasler: 916-321-1066, @dakasler Related stories from The Sacramento Bee New wolf enters Northeastern California from Oregon First California gray wolf predation event in nearly 100 years recorded Never miss a local story.
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But myriad problems ensued, including predation, high water levels and pollution.
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Other potential threats are disease agents like pathogens and harmful algal blooms, habitat loss, reduction in food sources, illegal hunting, pollution and predation, according to the recovery plan.
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The photograph is so remarkable, in fact, that it will be included in an upcoming publication about the predation of birds by praying mantises in The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, according to a statement Vaughan posted to Facebook on June 4.
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Boechler said sea lion predation may have been a factor, but an assessment isn't completed.
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At first, Mary loved the deer, but eventually the couple fenced 5 acres to protect the gardens from predation.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of predation
Middle English predacion, from Latin praedation-, praedatio, from praedari
Other Ecology Terms
PREDATION Defined for English Language Learners
predation
playDefinition of predation for English Language Learners
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: the act of killing and eating other animals : the act of preying on other animals
Learn More about predation
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See words that rhyme with predation Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about predation
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