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.
Examples of famine in a Sentence
The famine affected half the continent.
millions killed by war, drought, and famine
Recent Examples on the Web
The war, which has wrecked the capital and other urban cities, has claimed the lives of more than 28,000 people, forced millions more to flee their homes, and left some families eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive as famine sweeps parts of the country.
—
Samy Magdy, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2025
Focusing on what benefits donor countries instead of what serves humanitarian needs in areas experiencing famine, disasters or conflicts is at odds with these principles.
—Chen Reis, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
The Civil Defense further warned of an imminent famine, as Israel’s nearly three-week long blockade of humanitarian aid worsens the already dire conditions in the enclave.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
With the ongoing hostilities, famine, and disease, among others, Sudan is hell on earth for children.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
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Samy Magdy, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2025
Focusing on what benefits donor countries instead of what serves humanitarian needs in areas experiencing famine, disasters or conflicts is at odds with these principles.
—Chen Reis, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
The Civil Defense further warned of an imminent famine, as Israel’s nearly three-week long blockade of humanitarian aid worsens the already dire conditions in the enclave.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
With the ongoing hostilities, famine, and disease, among others, Sudan is hell on earth for children.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famine. Accessed 2 Apr. 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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