starvation

[stahr-vey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or state of starving; condition of being starved.

adjective

1. liable or seeming to cause starving.

   a starvation diet.

Word History and Origins

Origin of starvation¹

First recorded in 1770–80; starve + -ation

Example Sentences

As he breathes in the sea air, such freedom felt distant earlier this year as he fought starvation, abuse and violence.

From BBC

"But my head hurt and I had pain in my stomach from starvation."

From BBC

Tests following Penelope's death indicated "starvation over a prolonged period of many months culminating in fatal ketoacidosis", Mr McGhee said.

From BBC

“Because she’s saved them out of misery and starvation and begging.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nothing, he said, could justify their collective punishment, starvation or any form of ethnic cleansing.

From BBC

Related Words

• deprivation 
• famine 
• malnutrition