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
Tubi's affiliation with NASCAR predates this channel launch, having previously collaborated with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 The Code, originally created in 2018, predates the EU's new content moderation law, the Digital Services Act (DSA), which went into effect in 2022. Sara Fischer, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 Footage predates Los Angeles fires Multiple Los Angeles area wildfires broke out in early January and continue to burn. Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 The report is the culmination of years-long investigations that predated the arrival of Atty. Eric Tucker and Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near predate

Cite this Entry

“Predate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

predate

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

More from Merriam-Webster on predate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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