predation
n. C1 Advanced US //pɹəˈdeɪʃən// UK //pɹɪdˈeɪʃən// pre·da·tion
n. the act of one animal hunting and eating another. It is a natural part of life in the wild.
n. the act of one organism killing and consuming another for sustenance. Often used in ecological contexts to describe the relationship between predator and prey.
The lion's predation on the herd keeps the population in check.
Scientists are studying how increased predation by eagles affects the local duck population in the wetlands.
The evolutionary arms race between predator and prey is a prime example of how predation drives the development of sophisticated survival strategies across various species.