starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
Synonyms of starvationnext
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.
Hepburn and her family survived firebombing, starvation, and daily terror. Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026 At the International Bird Rescue Center in Fairfield, staff are caring for about 20 pelicans suffering from starvation, while nearly 50 more are receiving treatment at the organization’s Southern California hospital in San Pedro, according to local news stations KCRA. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 12 May 2026 Within weeks, McCandless was dead from starvation, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most iconic and polarizing figureheads of modern adventuring. Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026 Cascadia Research Collective founder John Calambokidis told CBS affiliate KREM that many of the whales appeared to have died from starvation, possibly because of climate change reducing the Arctic and Alaskan food supplies that whales in the area rely on. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 May 2026 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 21 May. 2026.

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
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