The Open Dictionary

famine

noun

UK/ˈfæm.ɪn/
US/ˈfæm.ɪn/

Definitions of famine noun

  1. C2CountableUncountable

    A severe scarcity of food, leading to widespread hunger, malnutrition, and death; also, a period during which this occurs.

    • A significant failure of staple crops could trigger a severe famine.

    • Successive years of drought led to a severe famine in the region.

    • Many people faced the threat of famine due to war and social unrest.