bulimia

noun

bu·​lim·​ia bü-ˈlē-mē-ə How to pronounce bulimia (audio) byü- How to pronounce bulimia (audio) -ˈli- How to pronounce bulimia (audio)
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
bulimic adjective or noun

Examples of bulimia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Trigger warning: This article contains themes of bulimia and binge-eating. Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 23 Feb. 2024 If anorexia and bulimia are about punishment, dessert − the spirit of dessert, not just the item on the plate − is the opposite. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024 The pressure to reach perfection led Stoner to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, exercise bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2024 Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Ashley Andreou, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bulimia 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek boulimia great hunger, from bou-, augmentative prefix (from bous head of cattle) + limos hunger — more at cow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulimia was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bulimia

Cite this Entry

“Bulimia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulimia. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bulimia

noun
bu·​lim·​ia bü-ˈlē-mē-ə How to pronounce bulimia (audio) byü- How to pronounce bulimia (audio)
: a serious eating disorder mainly of young women that is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by intentional vomiting or laxative abuse
bulimic adjective

Medical Definition

bulimia

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on bulimia

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