cannibalism

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noun can·ni·bal·ism \ ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm \

Definition of cannibalism

1 :the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being

2 :the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind

3 :an act of cannibalizing something

—

cannibalistic

play \ˌka-nə-bə-ˈlis-tik\ adjective

See cannibalism defined for kids

Recent Examples of cannibalism from the Web

And elements from the original movie — menacing power tools; killers in masks; cannibalism as a horror device — became staples of the genre as directors influenced by the goings-on in Texas came of age.

— neil genzlinger, New York Times, "Tobe Hooper, Director of ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,’ Dies at 74," 27 Aug. 2017
Osborne reports that similar zigzag cut marks have been found on animal bones and tools in France and cannibalism has been found in other parts of Europe.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "New Analysis Indicates Early Britons Engaged in Ritualistic Cannibalism," 10 Aug. 2017
In this experiment, the caterpillars weren’t given the option to try another plant before resorting to cannibalism, but Orrock and Connolly are conducting research in larger settings where the caterpillars are given the choice.

— brian connolly, National Geographic, "Plants Can Turn Caterpillars Into Cannibals to Avoid Getting Eaten," 10 July 2017
Gajdusek found that the disease spread through ritualistic cannibalism, as participants, usually women and children, ate highly infectious brains and other body parts from deceased relatives.

— mark johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In tracking a lethal family of diseases that threatens humans and animals, scientists have become the hunters," 6 July 2017
Kiir is from the majority Dinka ethnic group, while Machar from the minority Nuer—that has led to mass rape, cannibalism and thousands of deaths.

— conor gaffey, MSNBC Newsweek, "The Devastating Human Cost of Famine in South Sudan," 4 July 2017
Kiir is from the majority Dinka ethnic group, while Machar from the minority Nuer—that has led to mass rape, cannibalism and thousands of deaths.

— conor gaffey, Newsweek, "The Devastating Human Cost of Famine in South Sudan," 4 July 2017
Dahmer was convicted of murdering 16 men and boys between 1978 and 1991; his notoriety in the serial-killer canon stems from the grizzly, gruesome nature of his crimes and the evidence of cannibalism and necrophilia discovered upon his arrest.

— courtney devores, charlotteobserver, "From Disney to Dahmer: R5 back on road as frontman Ross Lynch sheds his mouse ears," 28 June 2017
There’s a lot of galaxies, there’s a lot more merging, a lot more cannibalism.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "The Eerie Alignment of Ancient Giant Galaxies," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cannibalism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of cannibalism

1796

Medical Dictionary

cannibalism

play

noun can·ni·bal·ism \ -bə-ˌliz-əm \

medical Definition of cannibalism

1 :the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being

2 :the eating of the flesh or the eggs of any animal by its own kind

3 :the pecking and tearing of the live flesh of its own members in a domestic poultry flock — compare pecking order

4 :oral sadism

Learn More about cannibalism

See words that rhyme with cannibalism Spanish Central: Translation of cannibalism Nglish: Translation of cannibalism for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cannibalism for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cannibalism

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cannibalism

Definition of cannibalism

cannibalistic

Recent Examples of cannibalism from the Web

First Known Use of cannibalism

Medical Dictionary

cannibalism

medical Definition of cannibalism

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cannibalism

Definition of cannibalism

cannibalistic

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