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
Verb
In fact, this ancient stone plaza, which was likely used as a space of ceremony or ritual, predates some of the oldest grand Andean constructions like Chavín de Huántar by nearly 2,000 years. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 As somebody who’s time in the organization predated Gabe Kapler, Nakken has been especially valuable this offseason helping to on board Melvin and his new staff. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2024 Key Background Trump has marketed his brand by selling merchandise for several decades, predating his presidential ambitions. Brian Bushard, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 Royal Mail, a mail delivery fixture in the U.K. for centuries, predates phones by 250 years. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 25 Jan. 2024 Though Carnival is widely associated with Christianity, its origins may actually predate that religion. Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Some of the earliest roads — which predate the founding of the country — follow Native American trails. Jayne Orenstein, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2024 April 15, 2023 Ernie’s fandom predates those players, of course. Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 31 Jan. 2024 That is no easy task given the enormity of the agreement that was worked out to settle multiple violations dating back years, some of which predated the current ownership. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

predate

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

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