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.
Just as we’re wired to fight, flee or freeze when threatened, fawning is the instinct to appease, please and self-abandon at any cost in order to stay safe—a survival response often mistaken for being agreeable, easygoing or helpful, Clayton notes. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 Reaching an agreement with the United States seemed almost to be a matter of survival for North Korea. Andrei Lankov, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2025 When prostate cancer is found while still confined to the prostate or nearby areas, the five-year survival rate is effectively over 99%. Alex Apatoff, People.com, 8 July 2025 Asante now lives at another zoo as part of an international species survival plan. Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Survival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survival. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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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