predation

noun

pre·​da·​tion pri-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the killing by one living organism of another for food

These small fish are most vulnerable to predation just after sunset, when larger fish, such as barracuda and jacks, chase them into the shallow water near shore to feed on them.

—Anne Brooke

… elephant seals historically avoided the mainland to protect the newborns from predation by grizzly bears.

—Carolyn Longstreth

In other words, just as vascular plants make tannins, phenols, sterols and alkaloids to defend against predation, it is likely that cyanobacteria synthesize poisons to ward off attack by fellow planktonic species.

—Wayne Carmichael

: a mode of life in which food is primarily obtained by the killing and consuming of animals

Predation is important to an understanding of ancient ecology because the food chain helps determine the structure of biological communities.

—Derek Briggs and Harry Whittington

Weeks or months later, depending on ambient temperatures, a beetle returns to the water to resume a life of predation.

—Natural History

2

: the act of injuring, exploiting, or plundering others for personal gain

A burglary occurs every 10 seconds, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Such predation keeps Americans uneasy …

—Consumer Reports

To the traditionalists, predation is any price or product strategy intended to impose costs on a competitor.

—Insight

Examples of predation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, the conceptual mix of misguided religious fervor and diabolical predation in an American West of 160 years ago or so keeps the enterprise reasonably compelling. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2024

The largest predator to the hippo, the most pervasive threat from predation for hippos is people. —Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2024

In response to the predation, MJ took her daughter out of the industry permanently. —Zoe Guy, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2024

Hoover is researching natural predation of lanternflies. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 4 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English predacion, from Latin praedation-, praedatio, from praedari

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing predation

• predation pressure

Kids Definition

predation

noun

pre·​da·​tion pri-ˈdā-shən 

: a way of life in which food is obtained mostly by killing and eating animals