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

Some Republicans have entered survival mode, distancing themselves from a staggeringly unpopular president. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

With all of this said, the biggest takeaway here is Peete’s survival and determination. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Slowing down became less a wellness cliché and more a survival skill, an essential part of learning to live inside my healing rather than constantly trying to outrun it. — Stefanie Benjamin, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026

First up, though, is an incredible story of survival during the Vietnam War. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

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