bulimia
noun
bu·lim·ia
bü-ˈlē-mē-ə 
byü-
-ˈli-
byü-
-ˈli-
1
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression
called also bulimia nervosa
2
: an abnormal and constant craving for food
Examples of bulimia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Anorexia nervosa hospitalizations went up by 17 percent, and all other eating-disorder hospitalizations, excluding bulimia, increased by 38 percent.
—
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Only in April, one of the highest profile male cricketers of the modern age in Andrew Flintoff said in a Disney Plus documentary that fat shaming 25 years ago had driven him to bulimia.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Studies estimate that between 2% and 7.7% of women aged 40 and above meet the criteria to be diagnosed with an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder; and up to 13% of women 50 and older experience at least one eating disorder symptom.
—Amy Norton, SELF, 27 May 2025
There are many concerning aspects and potential complications associated with bulimia.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bulimia
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Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Only in April, one of the highest profile male cricketers of the modern age in Andrew Flintoff said in a Disney Plus documentary that fat shaming 25 years ago had driven him to bulimia.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Studies estimate that between 2% and 7.7% of women aged 40 and above meet the criteria to be diagnosed with an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder; and up to 13% of women 50 and older experience at least one eating disorder symptom.
—Amy Norton, SELF, 27 May 2025
There are many concerning aspects and potential complications associated with bulimia.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bulimia
Cite this Entry
“Bulimia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulimia. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bulimia
noun
bu·lim·ia
bü-ˈlē-mē-ə
byü-
byü-
: a serious eating disorder mainly of young women that is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by intentional vomiting or laxative abuse
Medical Definition
bulimia
noun
bu·lim·ia
byü-ˈlim-ē-ə
bü-
-ˈlē-mē-
bü-
-ˈlē-mē-
variants
also boulimia
1
: an abnormal and constant craving for food
called also hyperorexia
2
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression
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