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
By following this food source, megamouth sharks likely optimize their feeding efficiency while minimizing the risk of predation.
—Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Karen Warkentin Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Learning by embryos and the ghost of predation future
Canadian Journal of Zoology.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024
As some politicians have declared, only by defending the EU’s external borders with fences, walls, and robust policing can the bloc protect itself from future acts of predation.
—Kelly M. Greenhill, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
The first major public expression of this ferment came with the 1919 May Fourth Movement, when Chinese intellectuals demonstrated not only against the predations of European great powers but also in favor of science and democracy at home.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2022
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Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Karen Warkentin Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Learning by embryos and the ghost of predation future
Canadian Journal of Zoology.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024
As some politicians have declared, only by defending the EU’s external borders with fences, walls, and robust policing can the bloc protect itself from future acts of predation.
—Kelly M. Greenhill, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
The first major public expression of this ferment came with the 1919 May Fourth Movement, when Chinese intellectuals demonstrated not only against the predations of European great powers but also in favor of science and democracy at home.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 5 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for predation
Dictionary Entries Near predation
Cite this Entry
“Predation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predation. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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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