predate

1 of 2

verb (1)

pre·​date (ˌ)prē-ˈdāt 

predated; predating; predates

transitive verb

: antedate

predate

2 of 2

verb (2)

pre·​date pri-ˈdāt 

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

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• antecede
• antedate
• forego
• precede
• preexist

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

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

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

Kids Definition

predate

verb

pre·​date (ˈ)prē-ˈdāt 

: antedate sense 1