malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-nu̇-ˈtri-shən 

-nyu̇-

: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

Examples of malnutrition in a Sentence

a program to help poor children suffering from malnutrition

Recent Examples on the Web

Her two younger siblings, then ages 6 and 7, were also taken for emergency medical treatment and spent three weeks in the hospital recovering from severe malnutrition. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

The figure was later clarified as referring to an 11-month projection involving children at risk of severe malnutrition. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

For people 85 and up, however, malnutrition is the seventh-leading cause of death, behind falls and ahead of Parkinson’s disease. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2026

More than 19,400 children were screened and treated for acute malnutrition; 163,000 caregivers received counseling on infant and young child feeding. — Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malnutrition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition especially due to inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

malnutritional

-ᵊl 

adjective