predation

noun pre·da·tion \ pri-ˈdā-shən \

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

See predation defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of predation from the Web

Both victims' faces had been disfigured by marine predation.

— ken daley, NOLA.com, "Reserve couple drownings trial sees co-defendant refuse testimony," 23 Aug. 2017
One occasion of bald eagle predation on a fawn was reported in 2012 from a study in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Woman captures video of bald eagle killing fawn," 19 Aug. 2017
Theodore Roosevelt spoke from a bully pulpit about the need to shield the vulnerable from the predations of industry.

— mark landler, New York Times, "Unlike His Predecessors, Trump Steps Back From a Moral Judgment," 16 Aug. 2017
Forgive my sarcasm; predation brings out the worst in me.

— maiysha kai, The Root, "The Pathology Behind the Pied Piper: When Will We Stop Protecting Predators?," 18 July 2017
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.

— dale kasler, sacbee, "New wolf pack in Northern California – with pups," 5 July 2017
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.

— dale kasler, sacbee.com, "New wolf pack in Northern California – with pups," 5 July 2017
Destruction of nesting habitat, disturbance by humans, predation by snakes and mammals — including dogs — and PCB contamination have been linked to the species' decline.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Waukegan, IDNR hoping to protect endangered terns found nesting at Municipal Beach," 3 July 2017
But myriad problems ensued, including predation, high water levels and pollution.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Waukegan, IDNR hoping to protect endangered terns found nesting at Municipal Beach," 3 July 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

PREDATION Defined for English Language Learners

predation

noun

Definition of predation for English Language Learners

: the act of killing and eating other animals : the act of preying on other animals

Learn More about predation

See words that rhyme with predation Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about predation

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up predation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

predation

Definition of predation

Recent Examples of predation from the Web

Origin and Etymology of predation

Other Ecology Terms

PREDATION Defined for English Language Learners

predation

Definition of predation for English Language Learners

Learn More about predation

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

chary

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Spox' May Go On The Record

C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

'Gamut' and 'Gambit' (and 'Gauntlet' Too)

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Forms of Government Quiz

Original Meanings Quiz

True or False?

Bee Cubed

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066

predation

Definition of predation

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Recent Examples of predation from the Web

Origin and Etymology of predation

Other Ecology Terms

PREDATION Defined for English Language Learners

predation

Definition of predation for English Language Learners

Learn More about predation

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066