noun

cannibalism

KANIH-buh-lihzm

noun

The practice of eating the flesh of one's own species.

"Cannibalism among certain fish species increases when food is scarce."

"The stranded expedition was later rumored to have resorted to cannibalism."

Figuratively, one entity consuming or absorbing another of the same kind, such as a company buying up a similar rival.

"Analysts described the merger as corporate cannibalism."

How to Use Cannibalism

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEating members of your own species, literally or (in a figurative sense) one business or product replacing another just like it.

cannibalisms plural

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_____ among certain fish species increases when food is scarce.

From "cannibal" plus the suffix "-ism"; "cannibal" traces back through Spanish to a Caribbean people's name recorded by early explorers.

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