malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-nu̇-ˈtri-shən 

-nyu̇-

: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

Examples of malnutrition in a Sentence

a program to help poor children suffering from malnutrition

Recent Examples on the Web

Hundreds of starving Palestinians had been shot at aid collection points, and nearly 12,000 children were suffering from acute malnutrition. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Dec. 2025

Birds fed only bread also may suffer the effects of malnutrition or become more susceptible to diseases. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025

Older adults without home care aides face higher risks of falls, malnutrition and medication errors. —Bedassa Tadesse, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025

The outlets reported that he was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where medical staff documented signs of malnutrition and physical abuse. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malnutrition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition especially due to inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

malnutritional

-ᵊl 

adjective