survival

American  

[ser-vahy-vuhl] / sərˈvaɪ vəl /

noun

1. the act or fact of surviving, especially under adverse or unusual circumstances.

2. a person or thing that survives or endures, especially an ancient custom, observance, belief, or the like.

3. Anthropology. (no longer in technical use) the persistence of a cultural trait, practice, or the like long after it has lost its original meaning or usefulness.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or for use in surviving, especially under adverse or unusual circumstances.

   survival techniques.

survival British  

/ səˈvaɪvəl /

noun

1. a person or thing that survives, such as a custom

2. 1. the act or fact of surviving or condition of having survived

   2. ( as modifier )

      survival kit

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Other Word Forms

• nonsurvival noun

Etymology

Origin of survival

First recorded in 1590–1600; survive + -al ²

Example Sentences

From the best ways to navigate the festival grounds to survival tips to what you should absolutely not miss at Coachella, our experts have advice for you.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"When different cichlid species interbred, entire inversions can be passed between them -- bringing along key survival traits, like adaptations to specific environments, speeding up the process of evolution," said Blumer.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

Each side is effectively building a survival kit for a future where they don’t need the other as much.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Helicopters, dog squads and reinforcements from New Zealand were dispatched to help track Freeman, who reportedly possessed strong bushcraft and outdoor survival skills.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

They all knew that if the berg plowed through their camp, there would be no hope of survival, and trying to get out of its unpredictable path was pointless.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Related Words

• continuity
• durability
• endurance