survival

[ser-vahy-vuhl]

noun

1. the act or fact of surviving, especially under adverse or unusual circumstances.

2. a person or thing that survives or endures, especially an ancient custom, observance, belief, or the like.

3. Anthropology.,  (no longer in technical use) the persistence of a cultural trait, practice, or the like long after it has lost its original meaning or usefulness.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or for use in surviving, especially under adverse or unusual circumstances.

   survival techniques.

survival

/ səˈvaɪvəl /

noun

1. a person or thing that survives, such as a custom

2. 1. the act or fact of surviving or condition of having survived

   2. ( as modifier )

      survival kit

Other Word Forms

• nonsurvival noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of survival¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; survive + -al ²

Example Sentences

"The demands of everyday survival took centre stage, and the box of comics, once set aside with care and intention, was forgotten. Until last Christmas."

Read more on BBC

“When women perceive threats, we tend to affiliate with a larger group as a means of survival,” she explained.

Read more on Salon

YouTuber Elz the Witch presented the Streamers Choice award, which went to survival climbing game Peak.

Read more on BBC

In emails with the BBC, Voloshyn said Gill was getting paid as part of an "advocacy campaign" and that he was "helping the opposition TV stations to fight for survival".

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Its survival and growth since the forcible closure of its Beijing mother church in 2018 only adds embarrassment to alarm.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• continuity 
• durability 
• endurance