survival

noun

sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce survival (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing
b
: the continuation of life or existence
problems of survival in arctic conditions
2
: one that survives

Examples of survival in a Sentence

The refugees depend on foreign aid for their survival. Small businesses are fighting for survival. the survival of an old folktale
Recent Examples on the Web Daniel Finkelstein’s family history is a chronicle of loss and survival through Hitler’s depredations—and Stalin’s too. Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2023 Officials say each survival plan is overseen by conservationists and seeks to ensure genetic diversity and healthy, self-sustaining populations of threatened and endangered wildlife. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 The genre is full of stories about people who live in or have overcome poverty, its pages littered with tales of loyalty and betrayal, survival and addiction. Jason Parham, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2023 Standout accessories from the line were her oversized fuzzy hats, which have recently been worn by SZA, Remi Wolf, Raveena, Kali Uchis and Lil Nas X. Huang describes her designs as her survival tools in a generally bleak time. Astrid Kayembe, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023 With the goal of securing the carousel’s longterm survival in Oregon, the nonprofit organization spent six years creating a detailed restoration plan. Jeastman, oregonlive, 12 Sep. 2023 The Iliad’s subject is death, and the Odyssey’s is survival. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 What Buffett and all of his fans secretly know is that such escapist reveries are not merely an optional lark but a necessary tool for survival. Drew M. Dalton, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2023 According to a new study released Thursday, for the first time, scientists can measure the impact that greenhouse gas emissions have on polar bear cub survival. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of survival was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near survival

Cite this Entry

“Survival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survival. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

survival

noun
sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce survival (audio)
1
: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing
survival of half the population after the epidemic
2
: a continuation of life despite difficult conditions
skills for survival in the desert
3
: one that survives
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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