starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of starving

2

: the state of being starved

Examples of starvation in a Sentence

The famine brought mass starvation.

Millions of people face starvation every day.

Recent Examples on the Web

This month, whales have died in Long Beach and Huntington Beach from the toxin and dozens of pelicans have become ill, with their offspring on the brink of starvation. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

With the blockade of supplies in place, Gaza's population of approximately 2.1 million people faces a crisis of starvation, disease and despair. —Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025

Zinna likely died of dehydration and starvation, Santa Fe County animal control previously revealed. —Elizabeth Leonard, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The deceased dog, Zinna, likely died from dehydration and starvation, according to the report, which specified the dog's stomach was empty. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing starvation

• starvation diet
• starvation wages

Rhymes for starvation

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

Kids Definition

starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

: the act or an instance of starving : the state of being starved

Medical Definition

starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of starving

2

: the state of being starved