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Definition of carrion

carrion

/ˈkɛr.i.ən/
car · ri · on
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carrion Lexical Profile

carrion Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The decaying flesh of dead animals, especially as a food source for scavenging birds, mammals, and insects.

Example

"Vultures and hyenas play a vital ecological role by consuming carrion and preventing the spread of disease."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for carrion

• adjective

1

Feeding on dead and decaying animal flesh, or resembling decaying flesh in odor or appearance.

Example

"Certain rainforest orchids emit a foul odor to attract carrion beetles for pollination."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for carrion

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'carrion' (decaying animal flesh) with its homophone 'carry-on' (hand luggage brought aboard an aircraft).

• Rhymes for carrion

• Nearby Words

carrier
carrington
carrington falls
carrion
carrot
carrottop
carry

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Anglo-Norman 'caroigne' (decaying flesh), ultimately deriving from Vulgar Latin '*caronia', a derivative of Classical Latin 'caro' (flesh).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Carrion. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/carrion
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