cannibalism

noun

can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈka-nə-bə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
1
: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind
3
: an act of cannibalizing something
cannibalistic adjective

Examples of cannibalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Season 3 will likely pick up following the events of the season 2 finale, after the Yellowjackets — a high school girls’ soccer team from New Jersey stranded in the Canadian wilderness — resorted to cannibalism. Jp Mangalindan, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 The adorable animal characters take some of the edge off a game that entails indoctrinating cult members, battling spirits and cannibalism. Theara Coleman, theweek, 11 Oct. 2024 As the night goes on, the Mad Men star becomes convinced that there’s more to the Eater than mere cannibalism, coming to believe that her fellow male cops are being impacted by the killing machine. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 Finding clean water is challenging, marauders roam the land, and some of the humans who remain have resorted to unthinkable behaviour, like cannibalism. Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cannibalism 

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cannibalism was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near cannibalism

Cite this Entry

“Cannibalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannibalism. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cannibalism

noun
can·​ni·​bal·​ism ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
1
: the eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of the same kind
cannibalistic adjective

Medical Definition

cannibalism

noun
can·​ni·​bal·​ism -bə-ˌliz-əm How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
1
: the usually ritualistic eating of human flesh by a human being
2
: the eating of the flesh or the eggs of any animal by its own kind
3
: the pecking and tearing of the live flesh of its own members in a domestic poultry flock compare pecking order
4
: oral sadism

More from Merriam-Webster on cannibalism

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