privation

noun

pri·​va·​tion prī-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce privation (audio)
1
: an act or instance of depriving : deprivation
2
: the state of being deprived
especially : lack of what is needed for existence

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 Saunders and Gamble dig into the domestic privations of poverty — the lack of food and heat, the shame of wearing the same old clothes every day, the constant worry about what’s next. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 Taped to a dry-erase board at the front of the cardio room, a patchwork of index cards lists some of these whys. Many are testament to the privations as well as to the prospects of life in America. Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2024 In Small Rain, too, the narrator finds himself in extreme privation. Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2024 Photographer Russell Lee captured the hardships and privations (as well as moments of joy) in America's mining communities in the mid-1940s. David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for privation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'privation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of privation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near privation

Cite this Entry

“Privation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

privation

noun
pri·​va·​tion prī-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce privation (audio)
: the state of being deprived

More from Merriam-Webster on privation

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