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
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Verb
Nutritionally stressed adult males were the most likely cohort to predate or attempt to predate humans. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 10 Feb. 2025 The coins were issued between 1036 and 1044, which predates the Battle of Hastings by two decades. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 6 Feb. 2025 The second death mentioned in the post happened in October 2024, predating the pardons by several months. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 The tradition of houses of worship providing sanctuary predates Christianity, and was practiced in pagan temples. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025 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 16 Feb. 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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