roadkill

noun

road·​kill ˈrōd-ˌkil How to pronounce roadkill (audio)
1
: the remains of an animal that has been killed on a road by a motor vehicle
2
: one that falls victim to intense competition
political roadkill
road-killed adjective

Examples of roadkill in a Sentence

There is a lot of roadkill along the highway.
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.
The film follows Edgar Wilson (Selton Mello), a roadkill collector in rural Brazil, who dreams of escaping his small-town life with Nete (Marjorie Estiano), the love of his life. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025 Keeping track of roadkill helps scientists locate, study and help remediate stretches of road where wildlife are in the greatest danger. Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024 Swallows have been found to evolve shorter wings to avoid becoming roadkill, and frogs in the Chernobyl exclusion zone are turning black to protect against radiation damage. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025 So, how can Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), the new Cap who prides himself on being a non-super-powered superhero, not become instant roadkill? Nick Romano, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for roadkill 

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of roadkill was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near roadkill

Cite this Entry

“Roadkill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadkill. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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