Noun: starvation staa(r)'vey-shun
- A state of extreme hunger resulting from lack of essential nutrients over a prolonged period
"The survivors showed signs of starvation after being stranded for weeks";
- famishment [archaic]
- The act of depriving of food or subjecting to famine
"the besiegers used starvation to induce surrender"; "they were charged with the starvation of children in their care";
- starving
Derived forms: starvations
Type of: deprivation, hunger, hungriness, privation
Encyclopedia: Starvation