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

In this Ruben Östlund–lite dark comedy, Moore plays an unhinged CEO who takes her team on a retreat that ends in cannibalism. —Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025

The creative trio has always expressed their intent for cannibalism to not be the most transgressive thing about the survival-horror-coming-of-age saga. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025

Coach Scott finds the cave Coach Ben Scott (Steven Krueger) was the only member of the group who refused to partake in cannibalism, a decision that began to take a severe toll on him. —Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025

But based on recent archeological research, at least some Magdalenian groups also engaged in a gorier pastime: cannibalism. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 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