1
: an extreme scarcity of food
The famine affected most of the country.
2
archaic
: starvation
3
archaic
: a ravenous appetite
4
: a great shortage
Transportation problems resulted in a coal famine.
Synonyms
Examples of famine in a Sentence
The famine affected half the continent.
millions killed by war, drought, and famine
Recent Examples on the Web
More:Blinken entourage rushes to shelter amid Hezbollah attack on Tel Aviv
Laws could trigger 'collapse' of Gaza's humanitarian system
The U.N. said the end of UNRWA's work in Israeli territory could devastate a refugee population already at imminent risk of famine and disease.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
These are often short- or long-term catastrophes that have major effects on human lives: famines, migration, and stability of governments.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Whether suddenly displaced by famine, natural disaster, or war, those urgently in need of a safe place to stay must often rely on refuge provided by humanitarian organizations.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, famine has swept Gaza, with around half a million people facing starvation, the U.N. says.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for famine 
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
These are often short- or long-term catastrophes that have major effects on human lives: famines, migration, and stability of governments.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Whether suddenly displaced by famine, natural disaster, or war, those urgently in need of a safe place to stay must often rely on refuge provided by humanitarian organizations.
—Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2024
Meanwhile, famine has swept Gaza, with around half a million people facing starvation, the U.N. says.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 6 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for famine
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'famine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near famine
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famine. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
famine
noun
fam·ine
ˈfam-ən 
1
: an extreme general shortage of food
2
: a great shortage
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