famine

[ fam-in ]

noun

1. extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or a large geographical area.
2. any extreme and general scarcity.

   Synonyms: scantness, meagerness, poverty, paucity, dearth

3. extreme hunger; starvation.

famine

/ ˈfæmɪn /

noun

1. a severe shortage of food, as through crop failure or overpopulation
2. acute shortage of anything
3. violent hunger

Word History and Origins

Origin of famine¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French, derivative of faim “hunger,” from Latin famēs; famish

Word History and Origins

Origin of famine¹

C14: from Old French, via Vulgar Latin, from Latin famēs hunger

Idioms and Phrases

see feast or famine .

Example Sentences

From 1949 to 1952, spanning the founding of the People’s Republic, the country suffered the worst famine in history.

From Ozy

Yet, there were districts that performed significantly better than others in terms of managing the pandemic and offering famine relief.

From Quartz

In their 1968 book The Population Bomb, biologists Paul Ehrlich and his wife Anne foretold a Malthusian future of famine and disease if humanity failed to control its growth.

From Nautilus

Saving has been part of the DNA of two of the world’s oldest and largest societies — China and India — for centuries, in good measure because of the frequent crises such as famines, wars and social upheaval that they have endured.

From Ozy

As recounted in the books of Genesis and Exodus, Abraham’s grandson Jacob travels to Egypt for food in a time of famine.

From No Straight News

She recalls that during the famine her father illegally sold gold and silver.

From The Daily Beast

“These people were coming here from tragic situations of war and famine in search of a better life,” he told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

Famine and frigid temperatures ensued, and roughly 10 percent of the population died.

From The Daily Beast

At other times, North Korea might want aid economic and food concessions, especially during periods of hardship and famine.

From The Daily Beast

Besides, the price tag for that motivation—famine, disease, Harold Campings everywhere—is surely too steep.

From The Daily Beast

In 1205 wheat was worth 12 pence per bushel, which was cheap, as there had been some years of famine previous thereto.

From Project Gutenberg

Only in the sensational moments of famine, flood or pestilence was a general social effort called forth.

From Project Gutenberg

Fordun says there was famine in Scotland this year, many being reduced 'to feed on the flesh of horses and other unclean cattle.'

From Project Gutenberg

But numbers overpowered them, and being weakened by famine, their city was forced, and the inmates seized as slaves.

From Project Gutenberg

Bruce presently came up with large reinforcements, but the castle held out tenaciously, and surrendered only to famine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drought
• misery
• poverty
• scarcity
• starvation