starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of starving

2

: the state of being starved

Examples of starvation in a Sentence

The famine brought mass starvation.

Millions of people face starvation every day.

Recent Examples on the Web

But perhaps that’s part of James’ point — that body expectations for women are so unrealistic that many, like Hana, are driven to starvation and self-loathing. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026

In November, a medical examiner ruled Mimi's cause of death as fatal child abuse with starvation and the manner of death as homicide, NBC Connecticut reported. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026

Welcomed by Humankind, the advanced visitors bring beneficial technologies to our planet that wipe out starvation, war, and disease. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Several died, including one after the rescue, from starvation and exposure. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing starvation

• starvation diet
• starvation wages

Rhymes for starvation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

: the act or an instance of starving : the state of being starved

Medical Definition

starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of starving

2

: the state of being starved