privation

noun

pri·​va·​tion prī-ˈvā-shən 

1

: an act or instance of depriving : deprivation

2

: the state of being deprived

especially : lack of what is needed for existence

Synonyms of privation

• deprivation
• lack

Examples of privation in a Sentence

The country has suffered through long periods of economic privation.

the constant privation of sleep was starting to affect my work

Recent Examples on the Web

Each comes to understand that the rules that prevailed during calmer times no longer hold, that to cling to them is to willingly accept privation and defeat. —Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025

Diaries kept by Eugenia Zieber describe the privations of the trail, chief among them the frequent deaths of fellow travelers. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025

Even the smallest diversions seem to make a difference, a testament to the monkeys’ loneliness and privation. —Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

In August, global food security experts said that parts of Gaza were experiencing famine and that severe hunger and privation were widespread there. —New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English privacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin privation-, privatio, from privare to deprive

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for privation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

privation

noun

pri·​va·​tion prī-ˈvā-shən 

: the state of being deprived