undernutrition
noun
un·der·nu·tri·tion
ˌən-dər-nu̇-ˈtri-shən 
-nyu̇-
: deficient bodily nutrition due to inadequate food intake or faulty assimilation
Examples of undernutrition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Deaths from undernutrition, like that of Usman’s baby, are tragically frequent in the region.
—
Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
While undernutrition is still a significant problem, obesity is now more common almost everywhere except South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
However, severe hair loss is a sign of undernutrition.
—Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2025
As of July 2025, more than 320,000 children — Gaza's entire under-5 population — are at risk of acute malnutrition, with thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of undernutrition.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Stunting in Children Under Five Stunting is a form of growth failure that develops over time in children under 5 years due to chronic undernutrition and lack of access to sufficient food and healthcare.
—Sarah Jividen, Health, 26 Oct. 2024
Some recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children may be turned away from stores as early as next week, said Geri Henchy, director of nutrition policy at Food Research & Action Center, a nonprofit organization for eradicating hunger and undernutrition.
—Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Half of all children who die before the age of five do so because of undernutrition.
—Sarah Bleich, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2020
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Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
While undernutrition is still a significant problem, obesity is now more common almost everywhere except South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
However, severe hair loss is a sign of undernutrition.
—Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 21 Aug. 2025
As of July 2025, more than 320,000 children — Gaza's entire under-5 population — are at risk of acute malnutrition, with thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of undernutrition.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Stunting in Children Under Five Stunting is a form of growth failure that develops over time in children under 5 years due to chronic undernutrition and lack of access to sufficient food and healthcare.
—Sarah Jividen, Health, 26 Oct. 2024
Some recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children may be turned away from stores as early as next week, said Geri Henchy, director of nutrition policy at Food Research & Action Center, a nonprofit organization for eradicating hunger and undernutrition.
—Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023
Half of all children who die before the age of five do so because of undernutrition.
—Sarah Bleich, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Undernutrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undernutrition. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
undernutrition
noun
un·der·nu·tri·tion
-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən
: deficient bodily nutrition due to inadequate food intake or faulty assimilation
called also hyponutrition
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