prey

1 of 2

noun

ˈprā 

plural prey also preys

1

a

: an animal taken by a predator as food

b

: one that is helpless or unable to resist attack : victim

was prey to his own appetites

2

: the act or habit of preying

3

archaic : spoil, booty

prey

2 of 2

verb

preyed; preying

intransitive verb

1

a

: to seize and devour prey

b

: to commit violence or robbery or fraud

2

: to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect

worry preyed upon his mind

3

: to make raids for the sake of booty

preyer noun

Synonyms of prey

Noun

• quarry

Verb

• feed (on, upon, or off)

Examples of prey in a Sentence

Noun

The lion stalked its prey.

The bird circled above looking for prey.

The seals are easy prey for sharks.

Too often elderly people are easy prey for swindlers and other criminals.

Verb

a fox has been preying on the chickens

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Nature has blessed certain types of carnivorous plants with pretty colors, pleasant fragrances, and sticky, sugary emissions, all the better to attract and trap its prey. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026

Yes, the specific angle of the setting sun against the mountain's unique topography creates a shadow that resembles a cougar chasing its prey. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Verb

This is different to me than, say, a re-creation of the Eiffel Tower being plopped into Las Vegas, which is preying on replication as generic spectacle. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

The two other passengers were working on a project to keep the local Chinook and coho salmon, which are essential to the area’s commercial-fishing industry, from being decimated by the northern pike, an invasive species that preys on the salmon. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English preie, from Anglo-French, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at get

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing prey

• be/fall prey to
• bird of prey
• prey on the mind of
• prey on/upon
• prey on/upon someone's mind
• prey/weigh on someone's mind

Rhymes for prey

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

prey

1 of 2 noun

ˈprā 

1

: an animal hunted or killed by another animal for food

2

: a person who is helpless or unable to escape attack : victim

3

: the act or habit of seizing and pouncing upon

prey

2 of 2 verb

preyed; preying

1

a

: to seize and eat something as prey

b

: to do violent or dishonest acts

robbers who preyed on travelers

2

: to have a harmful effect

fears that prey on the mind