bulimia

noun

bu·​lim·​ia bü-ˈlē-mē-ə How to pronounce bulimia (audio) byü- How to pronounce bulimia (audio) -ˈli- How to pronounce bulimia (audio)
1
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression

called also bulimia nervosa

2
: an abnormal and constant craving for food
bulimic adjective or noun

Examples of bulimia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The pressure to reach perfection led Stoner to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, exercise bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2024 Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Ashley Andreou, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2024 The Collaborative of Eating Disorders Organizations, whose members provide treatment or support for people with disordered eating, has called for doctors to screen people for conditions such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder before prescribing the drugs for weight loss. Liz Szabo, NBC News, 31 July 2024 Contact your healthcare provider for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as GERD, bulimia, or alcohol use disorder. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for bulimia 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bulimia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek boulimia great hunger, from bou-, augmentative prefix (from bous head of cattle) + limos hunger — more at cow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulimia was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bulimia

Cite this Entry

“Bulimia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulimia. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

bulimia

noun
bu·​lim·​ia bü-ˈlē-mē-ə How to pronounce bulimia (audio) byü- How to pronounce bulimia (audio)
: a serious eating disorder mainly of young women that is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by intentional vomiting or laxative abuse
bulimic adjective

Medical Definition

bulimia

noun
variants also boulimia
1
: an abnormal and constant craving for food

called also hyperorexia

2
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression

More from Merriam-Webster on bulimia

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