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

As a matter of survival, universities will continue to navigate administrative hurdles. — Abdullah Shihipar, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026

As the downstream country, Pakistan depends heavily on the Indus Water Treaty, with tens of millions of people relying on the rivers' waters for their livelihoods and survival. — Sam Meredith,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

When the Blakes want the third iteration of their teenage son Geoff, young Nathan Donovan must surrender his mind for another’s—but the transfer fails, leaving both consciousnesses fighting for their survival. — Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026

National Geographic says the project combines eyewitness testimony with data visualization tools to create an immersive storytelling experience centered on loss, resilience, survival and hope. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 1 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