cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of cannibalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her breakout hit, Tender Is the Flesh, posited a world in which cannibalism has become industrialized and meat is quite literally murder. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025 Things get incredibly tragic for the survivors — and cannibalism becomes a reality. William Earl, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 As bodies piled up, the cannibalism that had been promised by the showrunning team of Ashely Lyle, Bart Nickerson and Jonathan Lisco was officially out of the bag. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 Hammer also discussed the scandal that brought down his career, which included claims of BDSM and cannibalism. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cannibalism

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cannibalism was in 1634

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cannibalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannibalism. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cannibalism

noun
can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
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 adjective

Medical Definition

cannibalism

noun
can·​ni·​bal·​ism -bə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on cannibalism

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!