starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of starving
2
: the state of being starved

Examples of starvation in a Sentence

The famine brought mass starvation. Millions of people face starvation every day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dig deeper: Hamas frees US-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, as Israel says no ceasefire The release coincides with reports from a global hunger monitor organization warning people in the Gaza strip face starvation. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 13 May 2025 Zinna likely died of dehydration and starvation, as Santa Fe County animal control previously revealed. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025 According to the World Health Organization, Gaza is currently at the fifth degree of starvation — the worst on the global scale. Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025 McLemore died of starvation and multiple organ failure. Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for starvation

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of starvation was in 1762

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Starvation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starvation. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

starvation

noun
star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
: the act or an instance of starving : the state of being starved

Medical Definition

starvation

noun
star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of starving
2
: the state of being starved
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!