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
It’s estimated that the health and survival of 35% of global food crops are dependent on bees and other types of animal pollinators, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024
While only tiny, the survival of the species depends on them – there are fewer than 100 adults remaining in two small areas in Tasmania.
—New Atlas, 16 July 2024
Like Day One, there are ample genre flicks in which our sensory systems become vital for humanity's survival.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 16 July 2024
The researchers rescued the last remaining cacti from the wild, wrapping them with towels for protection, and whisking them away to a greenhouse off site to ensure the plants’ survival.
—Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 14 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for survival 
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024
While only tiny, the survival of the species depends on them – there are fewer than 100 adults remaining in two small areas in Tasmania.
—New Atlas, 16 July 2024
Like Day One, there are ample genre flicks in which our sensory systems become vital for humanity's survival.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 16 July 2024
The researchers rescued the last remaining cacti from the wild, wrapping them with towels for protection, and whisking them away to a greenhouse off site to ensure the plants’ survival.
—Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 14 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for survival
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'survival.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near survival
Cite this Entry
“Survival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survival. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share