hunger strike

¹ American  

noun

1. a deliberate refusal to eat, undertaken in protest against imprisonment, improper treatment, objectionable conditions, etc.

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hunger-strike ² American  

[huhng-ger-strahyk] / ˈhʌŋ gərˌstraɪk /

verb (used without object)

hunger-struck, hunger-striking

1. to go on a hunger strike.

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hunger strike British  

noun

1. a voluntary fast undertaken, usually by a prisoner, as a means of protest

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Other Word Forms

• hunger striker noun

Etymology

Origin of hunger strike¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Origin of hunger-strike²

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

During the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, a French father who was based in Japan staged a hunger strike, calling attention to what he said was the kidnapping of his children by his ex-wife.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

At UCLA, professors in the Chicana/o and Central American Studies program — its founding dates to a 1993 hunger strike modeled after ones Chávez did — voted to remove his name from the department.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Activists say some family members of those imprisoned in the facility have gone on hunger strike to demand the release of their relatives.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Besigye was briefly admitted to hospital in February last year following a hunger strike.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

When they returned to jail, many of the women continued with their hunger strike.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• fasting