anorexia

noun

an·​orex·​ia ˌa-nə-ˈrek-sē-ə 

-ˈrek-shə

1

: loss of appetite especially when prolonged

2

: anorexia nervosa

Examples of anorexia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nord and her colleagues have found that people with a range of psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, major depression, anorexia and schizophrenia, share unusual activity in a brain region known as the mid-insula, which is essential to interpreting signals from the body. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025

She was diagnosed with anorexia at the age of 13 and spent years in the hospital. —Tina Kraus, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Stirling has spoken openly about her struggle with anorexia and how her relationship with health has evolved over time. —Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

Common symptoms of an EHV respiratory disease can include fever, coughing, nasal discharge, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, anorexia, conjunctivitis and lower limb swelling, according to the AAEP. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French anorexie, borrowed from Late Latin anorexia "lack of appetite," borrowed from Greek anorexía, from anórektos "without appetite" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at anorectic entry 1

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anorexia

• anorexia nervosa

Rhymes for anorexia

• alexia
• cachexia
• dyslexia
• hyperpyrexia

Kids Definition

anorexia

noun

an·​orex·​ia ˌan-ə-ˈrek-sē-ə 

: anorexia nervosa

Medical Definition

anorexia

noun

an·​orex·​ia ˌan-ə-ˈrek-sē-ə, -ˈrek-shə 

1

: loss of appetite especially when prolonged

2

: anorexia nervosa