cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being

2

: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind

3

: an act of cannibalizing something

cannibalistic

ˌka-nə-bə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

Examples of cannibalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Or when the teen ensemble devoured poor Jackie in a gory cannibalism feast. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025

But in spring, all thoughts of cannibalism are a distant dream (sure, definitely). —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

The sacrifice ritual begins The second season revealed that the group’s initial act of cannibalism was not planned or deliberate. —Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025

Scott’s fears reportedly were triggered by human composting — turning a cadaver into, like, Miracle-Gro potting soil — and a fake cannibalism video from a TruTV prank show. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cannibalism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the eating of human flesh by a human being

2

: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind

cannibalistic

ˌkan-ə-bə-ˈlis-tik 

adjective

Medical Definition

cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism -bə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being

2

: the eating of the flesh or the eggs of any animal by its own kind

3

: the pecking and tearing of the live flesh of its own members in a domestic poultry flock compare pecking order

4

: oral sadism