1
: an extreme scarcity of food
The famine affected most of the country.
2
archaic
: starvation
3
archaic
: a ravenous appetite
4
: a great shortage
Transportation problems resulted in a coal famine.
Synonyms
Examples of famine in a Sentence
The famine affected half the continent.
millions killed by war, drought, and famine
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite a long history as an agricultural trade hub, Madani has been marked by experts as an area at risk of famine due to the blockades imposed as part of the conflict.
—
Reuters, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Last year, seven people working for World Central Kitchen were killed by Israeli airstrikes while working in Gaza, drawing attention to the risk of famine during the war and the dangers facing aid workers.
—Zach Montague, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Most urgent are the credible reports of genocide and the very real risk of famine for 25 million people — half the country’s population.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2025
Israeli restrictions, fighting and the breakdown of law and order have hindered aid delivery, raising fears of famine.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 Dec. 2024
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Reuters, CNN, 12 Jan. 2025
Last year, seven people working for World Central Kitchen were killed by Israeli airstrikes while working in Gaza, drawing attention to the risk of famine during the war and the dangers facing aid workers.
—Zach Montague, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025
Most urgent are the credible reports of genocide and the very real risk of famine for 25 million people — half the country’s population.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, The Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2025
Israeli restrictions, fighting and the breakdown of law and order have hindered aid delivery, raising fears of famine.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for famine
Dictionary Entries Near famine
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famine. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
famine
noun
fam·ine
ˈfam-ən 
1
: an extreme general shortage of food
2
: a great shortage
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