survival

noun

sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl 

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

In a head-on collision, a seat closer to the rear may offer passengers the best chance for survival. —Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 14 June 2025

These findings raise concerns about how this spreading shadow could reshape marine ecosystems that depend on sunlight and moonlight for survival. —Jay Kakade june 14, New Atlas, 14 June 2025

The signs of behind-the-scenes desperation — so often a necessary ingredient for survival in title-contending times like these — were nowhere to be found. —Sam Amick, New York Times, 14 June 2025

Fifty-three per cent of Israelis believe that he is driven to prolong the war for his own political survival. —Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing survival

• chance of survival
• survival instinct
• survival mechanism
• survival of the fittest

Rhymes for survival

• archival
• arrival
• revival
• conjunctival
• rival
• subconjunctival

Kids Definition

survival

noun

sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl 

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