famine

noun

fam·​ine ˈfa-mən 

1

: an extreme scarcity of food

The famine affected most of the country.

2

archaic : starvation

3

archaic : a ravenous appetite

4

: a great shortage

Transportation problems resulted in a coal famine.

Synonyms of famine

• shortage
• lack
• drought

Examples of famine in a Sentence

The famine affected half the continent.

millions killed by war, drought, and famine

Recent Examples on the Web

For others, a red Moon signaled impending war, famine, or the death of a ruler. —Alan Bradley, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2026

But the work cannot escape being read as a reference to the famine. —Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

Part of Gaza, around Gaza City, was found to be in famine. —ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026

And back in the Southwest, 250 years after the birth of the United States, Native nations have come through war, famine, disease and colonization and retained their own nations and communities. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from feim, faim hunger, from Latin fames

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for famine

• gammon
• mammon
• backgammon
• examen
• examine
• glutamine
• reexamine

Kids Definition

famine

noun

fam·​ine ˈfam-ən 

1

: an extreme general shortage of food

2

: a great shortage