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

• bloodsucker
• buzzard
• harpy
• kite
• shark
• vampire
• 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

After landing the lead role of Noa, a chimpanzee living in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have surrendered their apex predator status, Teague spent days at a Florida ape sanctuary. —Brent Lang, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024

While many will die as a tasty snack, the number of cicadas set to emerge is so large that predators will not make a significant dent in their population. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

For context, in states with larger predator populations than central Wisconsin, elk calf mortality is often below 50 percent. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2024

At the least, Wyoming lawmakers need to eliminate its predator zone and strengthen animal cruelty laws. —Wendy Keefover, The Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2024

Targeting threats For the northern quoll, a small marsupial predator, the existential threat arrived nearly a century ago, when the invasive, poisonous cane toad landed in eastern Australia. —Emily Anthes Chang W. Lee, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2024

Cicadas are a crucial food source for numerous predators, including birds, mammals, reptiles and other insects, thereby supporting biodiversity, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. —The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

These murmurs take place at a frequency beyond our own hearing range as humans – and, importantly, out of those of their predators, namely the leopard. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

Scientists say cicadas stay underground to avoid predators. —The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing predator

• sexual predator

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