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
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.
Verb
The Postal Service is the nation’s oldest federal function, predating the Declaration of Independence by nearly a year with the appointment by the Continental Congress of Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general on July 26, 1775. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025 Majestic Caverns, formerly known as DeSoto Caverns, became the country’s first recorded cave in 1796, but its use far predated that. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2025 Apparently, the oldest and longest continuously operating university in the world predates the University of Bologna by about 230 years. Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 The play predates Moore’s time in Philadelphia, but it’s remained in the playbook because it almost never gets stopped. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Predate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predate. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

predate

verb
pre·​date (ˈ)prē-ˈdāt How to pronounce predate (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!