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

But there is no evidence that the people who cannibalized them actually killed their victims, implying that the cannibalism was actually a form of funerary ritual, the study authors said. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Armie Hammer's Aunt 'Wasn't Shocked' By Abuse Allegations By Kayla Caldwell Contributing Entertainment Writer 0 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Armie Hammer is making light of those cannibalism rumors in a new music video. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Somewhat sweetly, though, the cannibalism that arrives toward the end of the book isn’t exactly one of those things. —Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

As a result of the allegations — which included rape, engaging in cannibalism fantasies and coercing partners into BDSM scenarios — Hammer exited several projects, was dropped by his publicist and agent and became the subject of an LAPD investigation. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 28 Oct. 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