privation

noun

pri·​va·​tion prī-ˈvā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of depriving : deprivation

2

: the state of being deprived

especially : lack of what is needed for existence

Synonyms

• deprivation
• loss

Examples of privation in a Sentence

The country has suffered through long periods of economic privation.

the constant privation of sleep was starting to affect my work

Recent Examples on the Web

Taped to a dry-erase board at the front of the cardio room, a patchwork of index cards lists some of these whys. Many are testament to the privations as well as to the prospects of life in America. —Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2024

In Small Rain, too, the narrator finds himself in extreme privation. —Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2024

Photographer Russell Lee captured the hardships and privations (as well as moments of joy) in America's mining communities in the mid-1940s. —David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2024

There are age-old customs, social mores and privations, as well as conflict with nation-state ideology. —The Week Uk, theweek, 19 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English privacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin privation-, privatio, from privare to deprive

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

privation

noun

pri·​va·​tion prī-ˈvā-shən 

: the state of being deprived