geophagy

Also ge·o·pha·gia

[jee-of-uh-jee]

noun

1. the practice of eating earthy matter, especially clay or chalk, as in famine-stricken areas.

geophagy

/ dʒɪˈɒfəɡəs, ˌdʒɪəˈfeɪdʒə, dʒɪˈɒfədʒɪ, dʒɪˈɒfədʒɪzəm, -dʒɪə /

noun

1. the practice of eating earth, clay, chalk, etc, found in some primitive tribes

2. zoology the habit of some animals, esp earthworms, of eating soil

Other Word Forms

• geophagist noun
• geophagous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of geophagy¹

First recorded in 1840–50; geo- + -phagy

Example Sentences

Not only that, but eating clay—a phenomenon called geophagy—provides the birds with needed salt, along with balancing their pH.

Read more on National Geographic

Eating large amounts of dirt is called soil pica, or geophagy.

Read more on New York Times

Eating earth, which scientists call "geophagy", is a known habit among chimpanzees as well as other animals.

Read more on BBC

Eating clay, also known as geophagy can occur in both animals and humans.

Read more on US News

Eating soil or its component parts is known as geophagy.

Read more on BBC