survival

noun

sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce survival (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing
b
: the continuation of life or existence
problems of survival in arctic conditions
2
: one that survives

Examples of survival in a Sentence

The refugees depend on foreign aid for their survival. Small businesses are fighting for survival. the survival of an old folktale
Recent Examples on the Web In seven of the eight species, the survival rate has been 85 to 90 percent. Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 When breast cancer is detected early and localized, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%, according to the American Cancer Society. Kristina Behr, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Now here was Huffman with an idea that would harness some of that value—and in his view, secure Reddit’s survival—by charging admission to the machines. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 But now Jin-taek is dating PR executive Lily Baek — no survival skills required. Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2024 Black people have a 5-year relative survival rate lower, about 32% from melanoma compared to their white counterparts—an unsettling disparity that is often under-discussed. Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024 Both terms are used whether an event results in survival or death. Jan Hoffman, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Summoning mothers to their power is a way forward in climate survival strategies and in fighting for equality. Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The film, which follows a mysterious stranger who provides hope for survival to the denizens on a distant moon amid threats by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, is the first in a two-part saga. Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'survival.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of survival was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near survival

Cite this Entry

“Survival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survival. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

survival

noun
sur·​viv·​al sər-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce survival (audio)
1
: the act or fact of living or continuing longer than another person or thing
survival of half the population after the epidemic
2
: a continuation of life despite difficult conditions
skills for survival in the desert
3
: one that survives
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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