emaciation

American  

[ih-mey-shee-ey-shuhn, -see-] / ɪˌmeɪ ʃiˈeɪ ʃən, -si- /

noun

1. abnormal thinness caused by lack of nutrition or by disease.

2. the process of emaciating.

---

Etymology

Origin of emaciation

1655–65; < Latin ēmaciāt ( us ) ( emaciate ) + -ion

Example Sentences

On Friday, the director of one field hospital said in a statement that they had an unprecedented influx of patients suffering from severe exhaustion, emaciation and acute malnutrition.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025

But others may suffer from severe disease marked by extensive hair loss, secondary bacterial infections, emaciation and, eventually, death.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

Their medical conditions included a boat strike that caused a skull fracture, severe emaciation and gastric issues, dehydration and inflammation.

From Washington Times • Nov. 30, 2022

The two bodies he was embalming were opposites: one small and bony, almost to the point of emaciation, the other large, the legs and feet swelling with edemas.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2022

The holes in it marked the progress of his emaciation and the leather at one side had a lacquered look to it where he was used to stropping the blade of his knife.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy