carrion

American  

[kar-ee-uhn] / ˈkær i ən /

noun

1. dead and putrefying flesh.

2. rottenness; anything vile.

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adjective

1. feeding on carrion.

carrion British  

/ ˈkærɪən /

noun

1. dead and rotting flesh

2. (modifier) eating carrion

   carrion beetles

3. something rotten or repulsive

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Etymology

Origin of carrion

1175–1225; Middle English caroyne, careyn, carion < Anglo-French careine, Old French charo ( i ) gne < Vulgar Latin *caronia, equivalent to Latin carun- ( caruncle ) + -ia -y ³

Explanation

The noun carrion refers to the dead and rotting flesh of an animal. Ever seen a dead opossum or cat in the road? You can call that roadkill carrion. The word carrion comes from a Latin word caro, which means "meat," but carrion is usually considered unfit for human consumption. Birds of prey and other opportunistic animals will often have carrion as part of their diet, however. Sometimes the word carrion is used a little more metaphorically: "The soldiers were unable to retrieve the bodies of their fallen brothers, so they were left on the field of battle like so much carrion."

Example Sentences

Recent ecological studies also support this view, showing that carrion is more abundant and predictable than previously assumed.

From Science Daily • Jan. 19, 2026

Buzzards are the most common and widespread bird of prey in the UK and often feed on carrion, according to the RSPB.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2025

Squirrels typically eat acorns, seeds, nuts and fruit, but are known to occasionally eat fresh carrion or roadkill, insects, eggs or other discarded food.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024

Jiří Hřebíček created an artistic image of a carrion crow by using a long shutter speed while moving his camera on purpose.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2024

One of his shoulders was much higher than the other, and he stooped over his trencher like a vulture over carrion.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin