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

Only 46% of Madagascar has access to drinking water, only 15% have an adequate sanitary system, and as a result, children are more prone to chronic illness and malnutrition. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 14 Oct. 2025

Such rapid or forced feeding, after prolonged malnutrition, can be extremely dangerous. —Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Disease and malnutrition have spread as the medical infrastructure has collapsed. —Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025

The commission says that while the Global North must cut back sharply, parts of the Global South may need to increase animal protein intake to address malnutrition – though not to the levels seen in wealthy countries. —Bloomberg News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 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