: 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
In the absence of vultures, carrion accumulated and fueled a rise in smaller scavengers, namely feral dogs and rats.
—
Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025
The researchers identified a broad range of mammals, amphibians, fish, reptiles and birds that survive solely or partially on a diet of carrion.
—New Atlas, 22 June 2025
For the study, researchers looked at 1,376 vertebrate species known to eat some amount of carrion, ranging from tiger sharks and spotted hyenas to cane toads and common shrews.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
These vultures rely on powerful soaring techniques and can cover vast distances in search of carrion, making use of rising thermal currents to stay aloft with minimal energy expenditure.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for carrion
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Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025
The researchers identified a broad range of mammals, amphibians, fish, reptiles and birds that survive solely or partially on a diet of carrion.
—New Atlas, 22 June 2025
For the study, researchers looked at 1,376 vertebrate species known to eat some amount of carrion, ranging from tiger sharks and spotted hyenas to cane toads and common shrews.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
These vultures rely on powerful soaring techniques and can cover vast distances in search of carrion, making use of rising thermal currents to stay aloft with minimal energy expenditure.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for carrion
Cite this Entry
“Carrion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrion. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
carrion
noun
car·ri·on
ˈkar-ē-ən 
: dead and decaying flesh
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