starˈvation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “starˈvation” mean?
The state of suffering or dying from extreme lack of food.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of suffering or dying from extreme lack of food.
Metaphorically, severe deprivation or insufficiency of something essential, such as resources or attention.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use the term similarly with no significant variations in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Similar connotations of severity and urgency in both British and American contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English, often in serious or academic discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “starˈvation” in a Sentence
starvation due to [cause]the starvation of [group/thing]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “starˈvation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The wildlife is starting to starve because of the harsh winter.
American English
- People might starve if the aid doesn't arrive soon.
adjective
British English
- The starving population needs immediate assistance.
American English
- He's on a starvation diet to lose weight quickly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; occasionally in 'starvation wages' to describe very low pay.
Academic
Common in studies on poverty, health, and humanitarian crises.
Everyday
Used in discussions about global hunger or personal extreme hunger.
Technical
Used in medical contexts to describe severe caloric deficiency.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “starˈvation”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “starˈvation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “starˈvation”
- Pronouncing it as 'star-veyshun' instead of 'star-vay-shun'.
- Using it interchangeably with 'hunger' when the condition is less severe.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to describe severe lack of other essentials, such as resources or attention.
'Starvation' refers to a more severe, life-threatening condition due to lack of food, while 'hunger' can be a general feeling of needing food.
No, 'starvation' is a noun. The verb form is 'starve'.
Common phrases include 'die of starvation', 'starvation diet', and 'starvation wages'.
The state of suffering or dying from extreme lack of food.
Starˈvation is usually neutral to formal in register.
Starˈvation: in British English it is pronounced /stɑːˈveɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɑːrˈveɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the brink of starvation”
- “facing starvation”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'starve' + 'ation' – the action or state of starving.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often extended to non-food contexts, e.g., 'data starvation' in computing or 'attention starvation' in psychology.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'starvation'?