Carnivora

American  

[kahr-niv-er-uh] / kɑrˈnɪv ər ə /

noun

1. the order of placental mammals comprising the carnivorans and noted for much diversity in habitats, sizes of species, and diets: divided into two suborders, Caniformia (dogs and doglike species) and Feliformia (cats and catlike species).

---

Etymology

Origin of Carnivora

First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin, Latin carnivora (animālia) “meat-eating (animals),” neuter plural of carnivorus carnivorous

Example Sentences

Carnivora is the name of the taxon at the order level; Canidae is the taxon at the family level, and so forth.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Ms. Crane noted the online advertising by Carnivora, a company that sells liquid drops and capsules of the plant extract.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2016

Although the new animal is in the taxonomic order Carnivora — a group of mammals that includes cats and dogs — it is not carnivorous because it does not primarily eat meat.

From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2013

Phylogeny of the Carnivora: basal relationships among the carnivoramorphans, and assessment of the position of ‘Miacoidea’ relative to Carnivora.

From Scientific American • Feb. 25, 2013

The same conclusion is indicated by the absence from the Moluccas and Celebes of various other Mammals, Quadrumana, Carnivora, Insectivora and Ruminants, which abound in the western part of the Archipelago.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various