carrion

noun

car·​ri·​on ˈker-ē-ən How to pronounce carrion (audio)
ˈka-rē-
Synonyms of carrion
: dead and putrefying flesh
Vultures live chiefly on carrion.
also : flesh unfit for food

Examples of carrion in a Sentence

Vultures live chiefly on carrion.
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 carrion odor of a voodoo lily is meant to attract pollinating flies and beetles. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 May 2026 Bald eagle are also known to scavenge for food and carrion, even stealing from other hunting birds mid-flight. — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 19 June 2026 Their diet also extends to carrion, chicken eggs, fruit, pet food, small live animals, and vegetables. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 Crustaceans are nibblers of plants, scavengers of carrion, and parasites of larger animals. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carrion

Word History

Etymology

Middle English caroine, from Anglo-French caroine, charoine, from Vulgar Latin *caronia, irregular from Latin carn-, caro flesh — more at carnal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carrion was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing carrion

Rhymes for carrion

See All Rhymes for carrion

Browse Nearby Words

carriole
carrion
carrion beetle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carrion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrion. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

carrion

noun
car·​ri·​on ˈkar-ē-ən How to pronounce carrion (audio)
: dead and decaying flesh

More from Merriam-Webster on carrion

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for carrion

Nglish: Translation of carrion for Spanish Speakers

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