prey

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An animal that is being hunted or caught by another is called prey.

When we talk about animals and their relationships with each other, we often use the word "prey" to describe what happens when one creature catches another. For example, a lion might be a predator, while its victim is its prey. In this case, the lion is trying to catch or kill the animal for food or survival. On the other hand, if you're talking about fishing, the fish that's being caught in the net is also considered prey. It doesn't matter whether it's a wild animal or something someone has set out to hunt - if one creature is catching another, we call the second creature its prey.

How common is "prey"?

Word prey is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

That which is or may be seized by animals to be devoured.
Example: The deer became prey to the lion.
A person or thing given up as a victim.
A living thing, usually an animal, that is eaten by another living thing.
Example: The rabbit was eaten by the coyote, so the rabbit is the coyote's prey.
(archaic) Anything, such as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; something taken by force from an enemy in war.
(archaic) The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
The victim of a disease.
Example: He became the prey of dengue.