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

The toll has been worsened because of the country's widespread malnutrition, which increases the risk of severe illness and death from a measles infection. — Ali Asif Shawon, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

The analyses pointed to malnutrition as a common cause of death, followed by blunt force trauma consistent with being struck by boats. — Ainslie Cruickshank, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026

The free meals program aims to combat malnutrition and reduce childhood stunting by providing meals to nearly 90 million students, toddlers and pregnant women. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

The program, which is expected to cost about $28 billion through 2029, works to fight malnutrition and reduce childhood stunting by providing meals to millions across the country, according to the AP. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026

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