predator

noun

pred·​a·​tor ˈpre-də-tər  -ˌtȯr 

1

: an organism that primarily obtains food by the killing and consuming of other organisms : an organism that lives by predation

The threadworm is a tiny nematode; its manifold kin include human parasites such as the hookworm, although the lab species is no parasite but an abundant, free-living predator of soil bacteria.

—Eleanor E. MacCoby

In a new environment, with no predators, an exotic plant can theoretically run riot.

especially : an animal that preys on other animals

With no large predators around, the koala rarely meets a violent end.

—Denis Gray

The picture that emerges from my research in a near-wilderness environment is that of the red fox as a specialized predator of small prey (insects, songbirds, small rodents, rabbits), with highly evolved and intriguing adaptations for this type of hunting …

—J. David Henry

Some spiders and caterpillars mimic bird droppings—an excellent strategy for deterring avian predators.

—James Martin

2

: one who injures or exploits others for personal gain or profit

Businessmen, he believed, were often predators …

—Nathan Glick

Neighborhood predators found that setting a fire was an excellent distraction for robbery. The burned-out structure could then be looted at leisure …

—Tom Buckley

see also sexual predator

Synonyms of predator

• vampire
• shark
• vulture
• wolf

Examples of predator in a Sentence

predators like bears and wolves

The population of rabbits is controlled by natural predators.

a corporate predator acquiring business rivals

Recent Examples on the Web

Mammoth remains round out the picture of an island once home to apex predators and massive herbivores sharing a landscape virtually unrecognizable to anyone walking through modern Taiwan. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026

Apex predators and massive herbivores shared a landscape that would be virtually unrecognizable to anyone walking through modern Taiwan. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026

But Wattley is right that condemning elderly parole based on the monstrous deeds of these child predators is shortsighted. —Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

At that time, 115 to 130 million years ago, spinosaurids had split into two subgroups – baryonychines and spinosaurines – that collectively dominated the Tethyan realm as the largest predators of the day. —Paul C. Sereno, The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing predator

• sexual predator

Rhymes for predator

• creditor
• editor
• coeditor

Kids Definition

predator

noun

pred·​a·​tor ˈpred-ət-ər  -ə-ˌtȯ(ə)r 

: an animal that obtains food mostly by killing and eating other animals