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
Anne Brooke… elephant seals historically avoided the mainland to protect the newborns from predation by grizzly bears.—Carolyn Longstreth
Carolyn LongstrethIn 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
Wayne CarmichaelPredation is important to an understanding of ancient ecology because the food chain helps determine the structure of biological communities.—Derek Briggs and Harry Whittington
Derek Briggs and Harry WhittingtonWeeks or months later, depending on ambient temperatures, a beetle returns to the water to resume a life of predation.—Natural History
Natural History2
: 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
Consumer ReportsTo the traditionalists, predation is any price or product strategy intended to impose costs on a competitor.—Insight
InsightExamples of predation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In South Africa, a solitary orca nicknamed Starboard was observed eating a great white shark for the first time and the predation event was detailed in a study published in March in the African Journal of Marine Science.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024
Among the reasons why trapdoor spiders are ultra survivors are:
Efficient predation techniques.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
But Houthi predation could be curtailed dramatically if America and its allies move to a policy of extended attribution, whereby Houthi actions have consequences not only for the Yemeni terror group itself but for its paymasters in Tehran as well.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Even though this particular event marks a first in recorded shark predation, Anderson would not be surprised if more examples emerge in the coming years.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for predation 
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.
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024
Among the reasons why trapdoor spiders are ultra survivors are:
Efficient predation techniques.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
But Houthi predation could be curtailed dramatically if America and its allies move to a policy of extended attribution, whereby Houthi actions have consequences not only for the Yemeni terror group itself but for its paymasters in Tehran as well.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Even though this particular event marks a first in recorded shark predation, Anderson would not be surprised if more examples emerge in the coming years.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for predation
Dictionary Entries Near predation
Cite this Entry
“Predation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predation. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predation
noun
pre·da·tion
pri-ˈdā-shən
: a way of life in which food is obtained mostly by killing and eating animals
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share