survivorship

noun

sur·​vi·​vor·​ship sər-ˈvī-vər-ˌship 

1

: the legal right of the survivor of persons having joint interests in property to take the interest of the person who has died

2

: the state of being a survivor : survival

3

: the probability of surviving to a particular age

also : the number or proportion of survivors (as of an age group or population)

Examples of survivorship in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This year’s luncheon will feature a powerful lineup of speakers whose personal experiences and professional leadership reflect the many dimensions of breast cancer impact from survivorship and advocacy to innovation in care and research. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026

The Ralph Lauren Center will help UChicago Medicine bride gaps in everything from cancer education and prevention to early detection and diagnosis, and connecting patients with treatment and survivorship support the release said. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

Nonprobate assets are usually life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death accounts, transfer on death accounts, joint property with rights of survivorship, annuities and assets in certain trusts. —Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026

In a new study, colon cancer patients who took GLP-1 medications saw an increase in 5-year survivorship compared with patients who didn’t take GLP-1s. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for survivorship

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• citizenship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship

Medical Definition

survivorship

noun

sur·​vi·​vor·​ship -ˈvī-vər-ˌship 

1

: the state of being a survivor

quality of life in long-term survivorship (five years or longer) of patients who have experienced breast cancer

2

: the probability of surviving to a particular age

also : the number or proportion of survivors (as of an age group)

Legal Definition

survivorship

noun

sur·​vi·​vor·​ship

1

: the right of one or more joint tenants who have survived another to take the interest of the person who has died

2

: the state of being a survivor