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
The series jumps back and forth between the ensuing investigation and snapshots of Gacy’s victims to illustrate how police bias allowed his predation to continue and later, how the media sensationalized his crimes.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Natural occurrences such as predation, pathogens, or harsh climates are thought to drive the longevity gaps between males and females.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
Organisms are known to mimic ants for protection and predation.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
This is due in part to the high level of predation that Upper-Peninsula whitetails face compared to their southern counterparts, which don’t have wolves to worry about.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 28 Aug. 2025
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Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Natural occurrences such as predation, pathogens, or harsh climates are thought to drive the longevity gaps between males and females.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2025
Organisms are known to mimic ants for protection and predation.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
This is due in part to the high level of predation that Upper-Peninsula whitetails face compared to their southern counterparts, which don’t have wolves to worry about.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predation
Cite this Entry
“Predation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predation. Accessed 31 Oct. 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
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