survival

noun

sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl 

often attributive

1

a

: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing

b

: the continuation of life or existence

problems of survival in arctic conditions

2

: one that survives

Examples of survival in a Sentence

The refugees depend on foreign aid for their survival.

Small businesses are fighting for survival.

the survival of an old folktale

Recent Examples on the Web

To provide the best possible context for readers, which is always the goal, two different lines would be necessary: One for ACC survival in the next few years; the other for ACC survival into the 2030s. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 18 May 2024

Sanada stars as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, a member of the ruling Council of Regents who must fight for his survival when the political tides turn against him. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing survival

• chance of survival
• survival instinct
• survival mechanism
• survival of the fittest

Kids Definition

survival

noun

sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl 

1

: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing

survival of half the population after the epidemic

2

: a continuation of life despite difficult conditions

skills for survival in the desert

3

: one that survives