destitution

[ des-ti-too-shuhn, -tyoo- ]
/ ˌdɛs tɪˈtu ʃən, -ˈtyu- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR destitution ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

lack of the means of subsistence; utter poverty.
deprivation, lack, or absence.

Origin of destitution

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin dēstitūtiōn- (stem of dēstitūtiō) an abandoning, equivalent to dēstitūt(us) (see destitute) + -iōn- -ion

synonym study for destitution

1. See poverty.

OTHER WORDS FROM destitution

pre·des·ti·tu·tion, noun

Words nearby destitution

destination, destine, destined, destiny, destitute, destitution, destock, destool, destrier, destroy, destroyer

Words related to destitution

poverty, want, privation

Example sentences from the Web for destitution

British Dictionary definitions for destitution

destitution
/ (ˌdɛstɪˈtjuːʃən) /

noun

the state of being destitute; utter poverty
rare lack or deficiency