predation

American  

[pri-dey-shuhn] / prɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. depredation; plundering.

2. act of plundering or robbing.

3. predatory behavior.

4. a relation between animals in which one organism captures and feeds on others.

---

predation British  

/ prɪˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. a relationship between two species of animal in a community, in which one (the predator) hunts, kills, and eats the other (the prey)

---

Etymology

Origin of predation

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin praedātiōn-, stem of praedātiō “a plundering,” from praedāt(us) “plundered” (past participle of praedārī “to plunder, pillage”; see predator) + -iō -ion ( def. )

Explanation

Predation is the act of preying on someone or something, especially when you're talking about animals. Nature shows can be hard to watch when they show the predation of an animal on a smaller, cuter animal. A predator is an animal that attacks a smaller, weaker animal, called the prey. So predation is the act of being a predator, catching and attacking. The noun predation is most commonly used to talk about groups like pirates or marauders who prey on innocent people. In fact, the Latin root word praedationem means a plundering or taking of booty. In fact, predation described people before it was applied to animals.

Example Sentences

Predation is a driving force in the evolution of anti-predator strategies, and death feigning, characterized by immobility in response to threats, is a common defensive mechanism across various animal species.

From Science Daily • Oct. 2, 2023

Predation at the locks by seals on the salmon is a perennial problem.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

Predation usually refers to catching and killing prey for food.

From Scientific American • Jun. 29, 2023

"Predation of livestock and attacks on human beings has led to a negative perception about tigers," he says.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2022

Predation on vertebrates must be rare, and perhaps requires further verification in view of the rather vague character of the records so far published.

From Observations on the Mississippi Kite in Southwestern Kansas by Fitch, Henry S.