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

Microsoft Confirms New Free Update Deadline For Windows Users iOS 18—Here’s Why There’s A New Black Dot On Your iPhone The warnings about the malnutrition and starvation of people in Gaza need to be taken seriously and addressed as soon as possible to prevent further suffering and deaths. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

In its 2024 country report, WFP said Afghanistan was experiencing a record-high spike in child malnutrition, affecting some 3.5 million children. —Gabriel Spitzer, NPR, 6 May 2025

Born prematurely, Yussuf is now suffering from acute malnutrition, with the family unable to obtain formula or medication as Israel’s blockade of aid and goods reaching Gaza enters its third month. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 6 May 2025

Born in the wild in 2008, Ronan was stranded repeatedly due to malnutrition, and after being spotted walking down Highway 1 in 2009 on her third stranding, regulatory agencies deemed her un-releasable. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 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