for (the) want of

phrase

: because of not having (something) : because (something) does not exist or is not available

For want of a better name, let's call it "Operation One."

People are dying for want of medical treatment.

The project failed for the want of adequate funding.

Examples of for (the) want of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And most major newspapers, including this one, have dramatically rolled back regular coverage of the next great American sport for want of readers. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Cosell, for want of a better word, could be icky, especially around young actresses. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026

All 306 lost their official Nooksack enrollment for want of sufficient documentation, even though many had lived in the community for decades, if not their whole life. — David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026

In The Real Inspector Hound, two critics, Moon and Birdboot, sit in an audience bank across from the real (for want of a better word) audience and watch a whodunit. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025