roadkill

noun

road·​kill ˈrōd-ˌkil How to pronounce roadkill (audio)
1
: the remains of an animal that has been killed on a road by a motor vehicle
2
: one that falls victim to intense competition
political roadkill
road-killed
ˈrōd-ˌkild How to pronounce roadkill (audio)
adjective

Examples of roadkill in a Sentence

There is a lot of roadkill along the highway.
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.
In August 2024, Wildlands Network launched daily roadkill surveys along US 64, cruising the highway and counting dead deer, bears, snakes, turtles, otters, bobcats, and other critters. — Ben Goldfarb, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025 In an effort to conserve wildlife and rein in the amount of roadkill, transportation officials and advocates are starting to build passageways for wildlife to safely cross major highways in California. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2024 While appearing in court to testify in a lawsuit that sought to exclude him from the state’s ballot in November, Kennedy confirmed to reporters that he's long had a relationship with roadkill. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025 After her young charges arrived, Dr Morris camped alone beside the artificial nest, and spent her days scavenging roadkill or catching carp. — Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for roadkill

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of roadkill was in 1946

Rhymes for roadkill

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Browse Nearby Words

roadkill
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Cite this Entry

“Roadkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadkill. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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