carrion

noun

car·​ri·​on ˈker-ē-ən How to pronounce carrion (audio)
ˈka-rē-
Synonyms of carrion
: dead and putrefying flesh
Vultures live chiefly on carrion.
also : flesh unfit for food

Examples of carrion in a Sentence

Vultures live chiefly on carrion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their diet also extends to carrion, chicken eggs, fruit, pet food, small live animals, and vegetables. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 The carrion odor of a voodoo lily is meant to attract pollinating flies and beetles. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 They can be sampled using standardized trapping methods worldwide, since they are easily attracted to dung and carrion, which allows for comparable data across different regions. Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026 Bald eagles eat carrion and are notorious for robbing osprey of their catches, the Smithsonian said. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carrion

Word History

Etymology

Middle English caroine, from Anglo-French caroine, charoine, from Vulgar Latin *caronia, irregular from Latin carn-, caro flesh — more at carnal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carrion was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Carrion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrion. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

carrion

noun
car·​ri·​on ˈkar-ē-ən How to pronounce carrion (audio)
: dead and decaying flesh

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