herbivore

[ hur-buh-vawr, -vohr ]

noun

1. a herbivorous animal.

herbivore

/ ˈhɜːbɪˌvɔː /

noun

1. an animal that feeds on grass and other plants
2. informal.
   a liberal, idealistic, or nonmaterialistic person

herbivore

/ hûr′bə-vôr′,ûr′- /

1. An animal that feeds mainly or only on plants. In a food chain, herbivores are primary consumers.
2. Compare carnivore

herbivore

1. A living thing that eats only plants. Cattle, sheep, and horses are herbivores.

Word History and Origins

Origin of herbivore¹

1850–55; < New Latin herbivorus; herb, -i-, -vore

Word History and Origins

Origin of herbivore¹

C19: from New Latin herbivora grass-eaters

Example Sentences

While the animals are herbivores, they can become highly aggressive when they feel threatened or their habitats are disturbed - and kill around 500 people every year in Africa.

From BBC

Plants that are pollinated by insects and have to defend themselves against herbivores have evolved to be better adapted to different types of soil.

From Science Daily

There were 61 species of large terrestrial herbivores -- weighing more than one tonne -- alive in the late Pleistocene, and only eight of these exist today.

From Science Daily

In their classic theories of evolution, both Jean Baptiste Lamarck and Charles Darwin suggested that giraffes' long necks evolved to help them reach leaves high up in a tree, avoiding competition with other herbivores.

From Science Daily

Many plants have developed physical and chemical defenses to fend off herbivores.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• fruitarian
• vegan
• vegetarian