predation

[ pri-dey-shuhn ]

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

/ 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of predation¹

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”; predator ) + -iō -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

Their woes have also been compounded by disease and predation by nonnative trout.

From Los Angeles Times

Mostly, their education involves learning that they are “grubs,” only suitable for hard labor and sexual predation, with the faint potential of becoming “explorers,” then “pioneers” and finally “aces.”

From Los Angeles Times

It cites habitat loss, farming practices and predation as the main pressures on an estimated breeding population of between 400 and 1,700 birds, down by up to 90% in the last three decades.

From BBC

"Our research highlights a fascinating example of convergent evolution, where ferns and flowering plants independently developed similar strategies to defend themselves against predation by recruiting ant defenders with nectaries," said Suissa.

From Science Daily

He’s doing nothing to alter the predation of the system, only horse trading exemptions from it.

From Seattle Times