famine

noun

fam·​ine ˈfa-mən 

1

: an extreme scarcity of food

The famine affected most of the country.

2

archaic : starvation

3

archaic : a ravenous appetite

4

: a great shortage

Transportation problems resulted in a coal famine.

Synonyms of famine

• shortage
• lack
• drought

Examples of famine in a Sentence

The famine affected half the continent.

millions killed by war, drought, and famine

Recent Examples on the Web

The war killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and pushed parts of the country into famine. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Regardless of war, famine, genocide, and the horrors of this most brutal of ages. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

That window allows governments and aid groups to ship supplies, arrange transportation and prevent famines. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Perhaps a famine, an outbreak of disease, or social upheaval? — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from feim, faim hunger, from Latin fames

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for famine

• gammon
• mammon
• backgammon
• examen
• examine
• glutamine
• reexamine

Kids Definition

famine

noun

fam·​ine ˈfam-ən 

1

: an extreme general shortage of food

2

: a great shortage