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
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.
With fewer children being born and people living longer, the long-term survival of the country’s social welfare systems is by no means assured. Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 Permanent land titles are not only essential to the survival of indigenous lives and cultures. Nemonte Nenquimo, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2024 The researchers, from Johns Hopkins University and other US institutions, found that the recipients’ survival rates, risk of rejecting the donor organ and other outcomes were similar whether the donor had HIV or not. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 The report ranked states' based on incidence rates, survival rates, early diagnosis, rates of surgical treatment, access to treatment, biomarker testing and screening rates. Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for survival 

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 3 Dec. 2024.

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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