predate

1 of 2

verb (1)

pre·​date (ˌ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
predated; predating; predates

predate

2 of 2

verb (2)

pre·​date pri-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
predated; predating; predates

transitive + intransitive

: to prey on (something or someone)
Animals predate other animals in nature, but that is hardly commensurate with a massive worldwide farming industry that breeds species purely for our purpose.Jenny Diski
Are high-profile men that sexually predate women finally starting to lose immunity?Alex McKinnon
All cats may predate but those living indoors have little opportunity to do so.Kevin Stafford
There are many species that predate on pigeons and doves.Revati

Examples of predate in a Sentence

Verb (1) modes of transportation that predate the car the native people who predated European settlers in America
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
First, and importantly, the Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed a trial court’s ruling that there was no systemic bias in Connecticut’s jury summoning process that predated the Task Force’s reforms. Harry Weller, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2025 The popular Boeing narrow-body aircraft has been in operation for nearly three decades, with development predating the U.S. manufacturer’s troubled 737 Max jets, a later iteration of the model. Jenni Reid, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024 In the kitchen, the hosts wear aprons with the words ‘Tamale Party 1999’ — a sign that this tradition may predate me. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024 Many of his early smashes predated Billboard introducing one definitive ranking for the most popular songs in the U.S., the Hot 100. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predate 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (2)

back-formation from predator or predatory

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1854, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of predate was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near predate

Cite this Entry

“Predate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predate. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

predate

verb
pre·​date (ˈ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on predate

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