1. an animal that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter
2. a person who searches through discarded items for things of use or value
3. a substance that removes or neutralizes harmful materials from a system
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• Vultures are important scavengers that help clean up the ecosystem.
• The hyena is both a hunter and a scavenger.
• After the storm, scavengers searched the beach for valuable items.
• Urban scavengers collect recyclable materials from trash bins.
• The antioxidant acts as a free radical scavenger in the body.
• We organized a scavenger hunt for the children’s birthday party.
• Crabs are natural scavengers on the ocean floor.