starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

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

The court alleges Netanyahu used starvation as a method of warfare and intentionally directed attacks against civilians, which Israel has denied. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Their starvation reached new heights, and the men ultimately broke their promise to Odysseus and killed one of Apollo’s cattle. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026

Improved monitoring and evidence, including evidence of atrocities and the use of starvation as a weapon, need to be supported if there is to be effective assistance and accountability. — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

For Weeks, 19, that mindset shaped his inspiring path to earn his high school diploma despite facing homelessness and starvation. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing starvation

• starvation diet
• starvation wages

Rhymes for starvation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

: the act or an instance of starving : the state of being starved

Medical Definition

starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of starving

2

: the state of being starved