starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
European leaders have been increasingly outspoken in condemning Israel's monthslong blockade of humanitarian food and medical aid entering Gaza — which international groups said put the entire population of the Palestinian territory at risk of starvation. May 22, CBS News, 22 May 2025 But behind closed doors, some military officials privately concluded that Palestinians there could face starvation within weeks. Iyad Abuheweila, New York Times, 21 May 2025 Nearly half a million Palestinians are facing possible starvation and 1 million others can barely get enough food, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading international authority on the severity of hunger crises. Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 The New York Times reported on May 13 that specialists in the Israeli military share the assessment of aid groups that starvation has become an immediate danger. Juwayriah Wright, Time, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for starvation

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of starvation was in 1762

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Starvation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starvation. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

starvation

noun
star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
: the act or an instance of starving : the state of being starved

Medical Definition

starvation

noun
star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of starving
2
: the state of being starved
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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