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- ( see 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

"We do recognize they can take small lambs very occasionally as a part of their diet, but that's rare, and it's far more likely that they'll be taking carrion," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Modern research shows that all carnivorous species consume carrion to some degree.

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

On east-west corridors through central L.A., the brown fronds of palms — queen, fan and other varieties — were scattered on the streets and sidewalks like carrion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2025

And at last the carrion stink was explained, for around the man’s neck hung a pigeon’s softly rotting carcass.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver