roadkill

English

Alternative forms

• road kill

Etymology

From road +‎ kill.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɹəʊdˌkɪl/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

roadkill (usually uncountable, plural roadkills)

1. (chiefly US, automotive) The killing of an animal by a road vehicle.
2. (chiefly US, automotive) The animal or animals so killed.

   Synonym: road pizza

   • 2012, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Ratburger, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:

     The van was heading straight for her and travelling faster and faster by the second. Zoe had to do something or she would be roadkill.

3. (by extension) A helpless victim.

Derived terms

• roadkilled