cannibalize

verb

can·​ni·​bal·​ize ˈka-nə-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce cannibalize (audio)
cannibalized; cannibalizing

transitive verb

1
a
: to take salvageable parts from (something, such as a disabled machine) for use in building or repairing another machine
b
: to make use of (a part taken from one thing) in building, repairing, or creating something else
2
: to deprive of an essential part or element in creating or sustaining another facility or enterprise
the energy system has begun cannibalizing the economic system it is supposed to fuelBarry Commoner
3
: to use or draw on material of (another writer, an earlier work, etc.)
a biography that cannibalizes previous biographies
4
: to take (sales) away from an existing product by selling or being sold as a similar but new product usually from the same manufacturer
also : to affect (something, such as an existing product) adversely by cannibalizing sales
5
astronomy, of a celestial object : to incorporate mass from (a nearby object) through gravitational attraction
But some stellar black holes make themselves known because they exist in a binary systems as the companion to a normal star, which they are cannibalizing.John Noble Wilford

intransitive verb

1
: to practice cannibalism
2
: to cannibalize one unit for the sake of another of the same kind
cannibalization noun

Did you know?

During World War II, military personnel often used salvageable parts from disabled vehicles and aircraft to repair other vehicles and aircraft. This sacrifice of one thing for the sake of another of its kind must have reminded some folks of cannibalism by humans and animals because the process came to be known as cannibalizing. The armed forces of this time were also known to cannibalize—that is, to take away personnel from—units to build up other units. It didn't take long for this military slang to become civilianized. Since its demobilization, the term has been used in a variety of contexts.

Examples of cannibalize in a Sentence

He cannibalized one washing machine to fix another. Many parts of the engine were cannibalized from older cars.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Why is Ukraine cannibalizing a perfectly good Bazooka-type weapons for a drone warhead? David Hambling, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 The same happens in 2008, with Washington and Crowe cannibalizing each other’s votes, allowing the already formidable Daniel Day-Lewis to win for There Will Be Blood. Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2024 The big question that won’t be answered until tomorrow is whether the GOP’s early voting is cannibalizing the party’s Election Day turnout. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024 The key question, however, is whether the surge of Republicans who voted early this time will ultimately cannibalize the number of Republicans who show up on Tuesday. Steve Peoples, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cannibalize 

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cannibalize was in 1873

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Dictionary Entries Near cannibalize

Cite this Entry

“Cannibalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannibalize. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cannibalize

verb
can·​ni·​bal·​ize ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce cannibalize (audio)
cannibalized; cannibalizing
: to take apart a machine for parts to be used as replacements in other machines
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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