prey

1 of 2

noun

plural prey also preys
1
a
: an animal taken by a predator as food
b
: one that is helpless or unable to resist attack : victim
was prey to his own appetites
2
: the act or habit of preying
3
archaic : spoil, booty

prey

2 of 2

verb

preyed; preying

intransitive verb

1
a
: to seize and devour prey
b
: to commit violence or robbery or fraud
2
: to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect
worry preyed upon his mind
3
: to make raids for the sake of booty
preyer noun

Examples of prey in a Sentence

Noun The lion stalked its prey. The bird circled above looking for prey. The seals are easy prey for sharks. Too often elderly people are easy prey for swindlers and other criminals. Verb a fox has been preying on the chickens
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.
Noun
The artifacts, researchers say, could help shed light on the complex ways in which ancient humans hunted for their prey and fixed their broken belongings. Livia Albeck-Ripka, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025 Now, with rising temperatures signaling the start of mating season and the return of prey, snakes are back on the move — and encounters with humans become far more likely. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
And if that happened, the shark, which preys on squid and other cephalopods, might have taken the opportunity to make a meal out of its unexpected passenger. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 It, the 2017 movie about murderous clown Pennywise, who preys on children, is headed out at the beginning of the month. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prey

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English preie, from Anglo-French, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at get

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of prey was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

prey

1 of 2 noun
1
: an animal hunted or killed by another animal for food
2
: a person who is helpless or unable to escape attack : victim
3
: the act or habit of seizing and pouncing upon

prey

2 of 2 verb
preyed; preying
1
a
: to seize and eat something as prey
b
: to do violent or dishonest acts
robbers who preyed on travelers
2
: to have a harmful effect
fears that prey on the mind

More from Merriam-Webster on prey

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