anorexia nervosa
noun
anorexia ner·vo·sa
-(ˌ)nər-ˈvō-sə 
-zə
: a serious disorder in eating behavior that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss and that occurs most commonly in young women in their teens and early twenties
Examples of anorexia nervosa in a Sentence
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Long before Trump became commander in chief, eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia, occurring after the age of 13 have been on the list of conditions that disqualify someone from military service.
—
Noelle Wiehe, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
They were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, exercise bulimia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and alexithymia (the inability to identify, feel, and express their emotions).
—Anna Borges, SELF, 12 Aug. 2025
Tarpley was admitted to the hospital at 13 and diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
—Alicia Garceau, NPR, 10 Aug. 2025
These include anorexia nervosa as the most common one, followed by bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, pica, rumination, and two categories that include a wider range of less common or less studied disordered eating behaviors.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
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Noelle Wiehe, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
They were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, exercise bulimia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and alexithymia (the inability to identify, feel, and express their emotions).
—Anna Borges, SELF, 12 Aug. 2025
Tarpley was admitted to the hospital at 13 and diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
—Alicia Garceau, NPR, 10 Aug. 2025
These include anorexia nervosa as the most common one, followed by bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, pica, rumination, and two categories that include a wider range of less common or less studied disordered eating behaviors.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anorexia nervosa
Cite this Entry
“Anorexia nervosa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anorexia%20nervosa. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anorexia nervosa
noun
anorexia ner·vo·sa
-(ˌ)nər-ˈvō-sə
-zə
: a serious eating disorder especially of young women in their teens in which an abnormal fear of weight gain leads to faulty eating habits and extreme weight loss
Medical Definition
anorexia nervosa
noun
anorexia ner·vo·sa
-(ˌ)nər-ˈvō-sə, -zə
: a serious eating disorder that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss and that occurs most commonly in young women in their teens and early twenties
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