survivor

[ser-vahy-ver]

noun

1. a person or thing that survives.

2. Law.,  the one of two or more designated persons, as joint tenants or others having a joint interest, who outlives the other or others.

3. a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

Other Word Forms

• nonsurvivor noun
• self-survivor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of survivor¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; survive + -or ²

Example Sentences

For now, the focus remains on stabilizing survivors and supporting the families of those who never made it out of the tower.

Read more on Salon

“Why is it that after such a huge disaster, the survivors have no tears left?” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At least 12 survivors remained in critical condition, with hospital authorities describing the state of a further 28 as "serious".

Read more on Barron's

It’s an in-house production, and wouldn’t be here to see unless the three survivors and John’s widow Yoko Ono had signed off on it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

More than 80% of the spores endured the full trip, and all but 11% of those survivors successfully germinated in the laboratory.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• residue