starvation
stah-VAY-shuhn
Starvation (noun) means the state of suffering or dying from a severe lack of food. Example: “The drought led to widespread starvation in the region.”
noun
1
The state of suffering or dying from a severe lack of food.
"The drought led to widespread starvation in the region."
"Relief agencies rushed food supplies to prevent starvation."
2
A severe shortage of something essential, used more broadly than just food.
"Years of underfunding left the department in a state of starvation."
How to use starvation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe condition of not having enough food (or, more broadly, resources) to survive or function properly.
Common pairings
die of starvation
starvation diet
on the brink of starvation
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like starvation.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- starvations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The drought led to widespread _____ in the region.
Etymology
Formed from starve plus the noun ending -ation.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for starvation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for starvation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “starvation” mean?
The word “starvation” means the state of suffering or dying from a severe lack of food. In plain terms, the condition of not having enough food (or, more broadly, resources) to survive or function properly.
How do you pronounce “starvation”?
“Starvation” is pronounced stah-VAY-shuhn (/stɑɹˈveɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “starvation” in a sentence?
Here is “starvation” used in a sentence: “The drought led to widespread starvation in the region.”
What part of speech is “starvation”?
“Starvation” is a noun.
Is “starvation” a common word?
“Starvation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “starvation” have?
“Starvation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of suffering or dying from a severe lack of food.
