noun
herbivore
UR-bih-vor/ˈɜːrbɪvɔːr/
An animal that feeds mainly on plants.
The rabbit is a herbivore, feeding on fresh clover rooted in the ground.
Etymology
Herba and vorare combine into the image of a “plant-devourer.” The noun names an animal by its diet, with plants understood broadly rather than just culinary herbs.
In context
Okapi is a herbivore that feeds on leaves fruits and grasses
More examples
- Many herbivores eat leaves, roots, or seeds.
- This caterpillar is a herbivore that chews through cabbage leaves.
- The zoo gives its herbivores fresh hay and vegetables.
Forms
herbivore · herbivores
herbivorous adjective — Feeding mainly on plants rather than animals.
herbivory noun — The practice of feeding mainly on plants.
Similar words
- grazer
- A herbivore that feeds mainly on grass and low vegetation.
- browser
- A herbivore that eats leaves and shoots from woody plants.