privation

[ prahy-vey-shuhn ]

noun

1. lack of the usual comforts or necessaries of life:

   His life of privation began to affect his health.

   Synonyms: distress, need, want, deprivation

2. an instance of this.
3. the act of depriving.
4. the state of being deprived.

privation

/ praɪˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. loss or lack of the necessities of life, such as food and shelter
2. hardship resulting from this
3. the state of being deprived
4. obsolete.
   logic the absence from an object of what ordinarily or naturally belongs to such objects

Word History and Origins

Origin of privation¹

1350–1400; Middle English (from Middle French privacion ) from Latin prīvātiōn- (stem of prīvātiō ) “a taking away.” See private, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of privation¹

C14: from Latin prīvātiō deprivation

Synonym Study

See hardship.

Example Sentences

International humanitarian officials said the military operation had halted the flow of aid from Egypt into Gaza, exacerbating extreme hunger and privation in the besieged territory.

From New York Times

Its purpose, as television, is to make you feel, for the characters and by extension for a people — to experience, such as might be possible, the stress of privation, the threat of discovery, and the tragedy of having to deny one’s identity in order to live.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Mixner, born three days apart from Mr. Clinton and raised in similar rural privation, met the future president when they were in their early 20s.

From New York Times

Israel had been considering scaling back its operations, and the United States has been prodding it to do so more quickly as the death toll and privation in Gaza rose.

From New York Times

“We are just finishing up a defense here on the island of Oahu and watching soldiers from Indonesia, Thailand and New Zealand alongside soldiers from the United States Army dig fighting positions together, experience a crucible of privation — that challenges, but most importantly forges relationships,” Evans said.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• hardship