cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being

2

: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind

3

: an act of cannibalizing something

cannibalistic

ˌka-nə-bə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

Examples of cannibalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The messages included depictions of extreme cannibalism and bondage fetish scenarios. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2024

Regarding the most attention-grabbing accusation — the cannibalism — Hammer expressed incredulity. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 17 June 2024

The 1992 American film Alive leaned heavily on the most sensational element of the story: that the 16 survivors had to resort to cannibalism to survive. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2024

Warfare, slavery and cannibalism existed in that region; that does not justify evil acts committed against indigenous peoples but the world was a different place more than 500 years ago. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the eating of human flesh by a human being

2

: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind

cannibalistic

ˌkan-ə-bə-ˈlis-tik 

adjective

Medical Definition

cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism -bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being

2

: the eating of the flesh or the eggs of any animal by its own kind

3

: the pecking and tearing of the live flesh of its own members in a domestic poultry flock compare pecking order

4

: oral sadism