malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-nu̇-ˈtri-shən 

-nyu̇-

: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

Examples of malnutrition in a Sentence

a program to help poor children suffering from malnutrition

Recent Examples on the Web

This life-saving peanut paste is given to children suffering severe malnutrition. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

The aid disruptions have now reportedly halted research at land grant universities in at least 13 states focused on fighting hunger and malnutrition. —Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Police said the infant’s cause of death was determined to be complications of medical and nutritional neglect with necrotizing appendicitis and chronic malnutrition. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2025

Additionally, 60,000 cases of acute malnutrition are expected by April 2025. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malnutrition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition especially due to inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

malnutritional

-ᵊl 

adjective