predator

American  

[pred-uh-ter, -tawr] / ˈprɛd ə tər, -ˌtɔr /

noun

1. Zoology. any organism that exists by preying upon other organisms.

   Cats are carnivorous predators.

2. a person or group that plunders, pillages, or robs, as in war.

   The Vikings were barbarian predators.

3. a person, group, or business that exploits, victimizes, or preys on others: corporate predators who go after smaller rivals.

   a sexual predator who targets children;

   corporate predators who go after smaller rivals.

4. an overbearing, greedy or selfish person.

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predator British  

/ ˈprɛdətə /

noun

1. any carnivorous animal

2. a predatory person or thing

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predator Scientific  

/ prĕd′ə-tər /

1. An animal that lives by capturing and eating other animals.

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Other Word Forms

• antipredator noun

Etymology

Origin of predator

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin praedātor “plunderer, pillager,” equivalent to praedā(rī) “to plunder, pillage” (derivative of praeda “booty, plunder”) + -tor, agent noun suffix; prey, -tor

Example Sentences

The subjects seem to know the meaning of boundaries, not only regarding the size of their competition or the dangers of lions, hyenas and other potential predators.

From The Wall Street Journal

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips that she hopes stopping police routinely access to counselling notes will give victims the "confidence to come forward and help us bring more predators to justice".

From BBC

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Evans said the force hoped that the sentencing would "alert vulnerable people to predators" like Cross.

From BBC

Spear is taken in by a village, Fang by a fellow predator.

From Salon

Think of sharks and the most common images that spring to mind will likely be of dangerous predators hunting prey, accompanied by ominous music.

From BBC