famine

noun

fam·​ine ˈfa-mən 

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

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of famine in a Sentence

The famine affected half the continent.

millions killed by war, drought, and famine

Recent Examples on the Web

The Grammy Award-winning USA for Africa benefit single raised more than $63 million for Ethiopian famine relief. —Jennifer Frederick, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024

The song raised more than $63 million for Ethiopian famine relief. —Jennifer Frederick, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024

This aid is far from sufficient — the risk of famine looms. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2024

Many of the island’s earliest settlers thrived by living off the land, even in times of famine, and Ms. Doreen’s tour provides a glimpse into that resilient tradition. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from feim, faim hunger, from Latin fames

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

famine

noun

fam·​ine ˈfam-ən 

1

: an extreme general shortage of food

2

: a great shortage