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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Join 5 others in the comments View Comments The Westminster Dog Show, first held in 1877, is America’s second-oldest continuous sporting event and predates the invention of both the lightbulb and the automobile. Erika Tulfo, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024 The Pro Pickleball Medal Tracker has now been updated with these results; check out this link online for a complete pro medal history for all tours and all pro events dating to the beginnings of all the major pro tours, plus pro events that predated 2020. Todd Boss, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 Imagine holding a piece of the early solar system in your hands — a 4.5-billion-year-old artifact that predates our planet. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024 But her designs predate those to focus on original designs, many of which have dwindled over the years. Booth Moore, WWD, 29 Oct. 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 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

predate

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

More from Merriam-Webster on predate

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