carnivore

[ kahr-nuh-vawr ]

noun

1. any mammal of the order Carnivora that eats meat, fish, or other flesh, especially as its primary source of food: a category of mammals that includes dogs, cats, bears, seals, and weasels. Compare carnivoran ( def 1 ).
2. any animal that eats meat, fish, etc., especially as its primary source of food; meat-eater:

   alligators, snakes, and other reptilian carnivores.

3. any plant that traps and feeds on insects and/or arachnids, such as a Venus flytrap.

carnivore

/ ˈkɑːnɪˌvɔː /

noun

1. any placental mammal of the order Carnivora, typically having large pointed canine teeth and sharp molars and premolars, specialized for eating flesh. The order includes cats, dogs, bears, raccoons, hyenas, civets, and weasels
2. any other animal or any plant that feeds on animals
3. informal.
   an aggressively ambitious person

carnivore

/ kär′nə-vôr′ /

1. 1. An animal that feeds chiefly on the flesh of other animals. Carnivores include predators such as lions and alligators, and scavengers such as hyenas and vultures. In a food chain, carnivores are either secondary or tertiary consumers.
   2. Any of various generally meat-eating mammals of the order Carnivora. Carnivores have large, sharp canine teeth and large brains, and the musculoskeletal structure of their forelimbs permits great flexibility for springing at prey. Many carnivores remain in and defend a single territory. Dogs, cats, bears, weasels, raccoons, hyenas, and (according to some classifications) seals and walruses are all carnivores.
2. A plant that eats insects, such as a Venus flytrap.

carnivore

1. A living thing that eats meat. Among mammals , there is an order of carnivores, including primarily meat-eating animals such as tigers and dogs. Some plants, such as the Venus's-flytrap, are carnivores.

Other Words From

• car·niv·o·ral [kahr-, niv, -er-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnivore¹

First recorded in 1850–55; from French, from Latin carnivorus carnivorous

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnivore¹

C19: probably back formation from carnivorous

Example Sentences

This one is credited to fitness influencer Dr. Paul Saladino, author of “The Carnivore Code,” who proselytizes the health benefits of eating animal organs.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Cristi Remus Papp, head of the large carnivore department of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the new law will do nothing to improve the situation, and could make it worse.

From BBC

But it’s worth noting that warnings about seed oils usually go arm in arm with the suggestion that animal fats like tallow or lard are the healthiest option, something that — in addition to being something few nutrition experts would endorse — dovetails neatly with the reality that many anti-seed oil campaigners also profit off of by selling carnivore diet plans and supplements.

From Salon

This one credited to fitness influencer Dr. Paul Saladino, author of “The Carnivore Code,” who proselytizes the health benefits of eating animal organs.

From Los Angeles Times

Liam Fisher recalled that he and his dad, who accompanied the trio, first spotted the bone of the young carnivore.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• meat-eater