Carnivore: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is broadly used to describe any animal that primarily eats meat. It is common in both everyday language and scientific contexts.

• Lions and tigers are carnivores.
• The study focused on the behavior of various carnivores in the wild.

Predator emphasizes the hunting and consuming of other animals for food. It often carries a sense of danger or aggression and is used in both everyday language and scientific contexts.

• The eagle is a skilled predator.
• Predators play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

This is a casual term, often used in everyday conversation. It may also refer to humans who eat meat, not just animals.

• My friend is a meat-eater, so we always have barbecue parties.
• Meat-eaters like lions and wolves are at the top of the food chain.

Carnassial specifically refers to a type of tooth adapted for shearing flesh, typically found in carnivorous mammals. It's a more technical term often used in biology and zoology.

• The wolf's carnassial teeth are extremely sharp.
• Carnassial teeth play a crucial role in the animal's ability to process meat.