predation
Americannoun
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depredation; plundering.
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act of plundering or robbing.
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predatory behavior.
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a relation between animals in which one organism captures and feeds on others.
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing predation
The ACT Science Test: Biology Review 1
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Ecology - High School
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Ecology - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There were 267 investigations opened into wolf-livestock predation in 2025, up from 74 the previous year.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
Lamb predation is being closely monitored in Scotland and farmers are being given some financial help in managing and mitigating the risks to their flocks.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Other threats to the population, such as predation by wolves, have been mitigated so that if the caribou are restored they should thrive in the wild.
From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026
"With this kind of predation, the status quo... just isn't possible," added Environment Minister Mathieu Lefevre, whose office said the change would be made official "in the coming weeks" in an executive order.
From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026
There is nothing resembling predation, and no pretense of an adversary stance on either side.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
