carrion

American  

[kar-ee-uhn] / ˈkær i ən /

noun

1. dead and putrefying flesh.

2. rottenness; anything vile.

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adjective

1. feeding on carrion.

carrion British  

/ ˈkærɪən /

noun

1. dead and rotting flesh

2. (modifier) eating carrion

   carrion beetles

3. something rotten or repulsive

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Etymology

Origin of carrion

1175–1225; Middle English caroyne, careyn, carion < Anglo-French careine, Old French charo ( i ) gne < Vulgar Latin *caronia, equivalent to Latin carun- ( see caruncle) + -ia -y ³

Explanation

The noun carrion refers to the dead and rotting flesh of an animal. Ever seen a dead opossum or cat in the road? You can call that roadkill carrion. The word carrion comes from a Latin word caro, which means "meat," but carrion is usually considered unfit for human consumption. Birds of prey and other opportunistic animals will often have carrion as part of their diet, however. Sometimes the word carrion is used a little more metaphorically: "The soldiers were unable to retrieve the bodies of their fallen brothers, so they were left on the field of battle like so much carrion."

Example Sentences

For carrion birds, war is a time of plenty, and Neriya senses that her adoption by the crows is a sort of refinement indulged in a thriving colony.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Recent ecological studies also support this view, showing that carrion is more abundant and predictable than previously assumed.

From Science Daily • Jan. 19, 2026

After weeks of patience, last year's winner, Shane Gross, captured peppered moray eels scavenging for carrion at low tide.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2025

In the wild, its stench lures pollinators like carrion beetles and flies, which are drawn to the smell of rotting flesh.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

Servants with shifty eyes would sneak around the packs of merchandise like carrion birds.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri