famine

[ fam-in ]
/ ˈfæm ɪn /

noun

extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or a large geographical area.
any extreme and general scarcity.
extreme hunger; starvation.

Origin of famine

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French, derivative of faim hunger (< Latin famēs); see -ine2

Example sentences from the Web for famine

British Dictionary definitions for famine

famine
/ (ˈfæmɪn) /

noun

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

Word Origin for famine

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

Idioms and Phrases with famine

famine

see feast or famine.