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Famine

Widespread scarcity of food.

starvation crisis hunger crisis

Famine is a widespread scarcity of food, typically caused by crop failure due to extreme weather conditions such as drought or flood, economic instability, war, political unrest, or poor resource management.

Etymology

Famine comes from the Old English famyn, meaning scarcity or lack of food.

Explain Like I’m 5

Famine happens when lots of people don't have enough food to eat, often because of things like drought or war.

Fun Facts

Famines have occurred throughout human history
The Great Famine of Ireland (1845-1849) led to over a million deaths
Modern efforts focus on preventing famines through early warning systems and food aid

FAQ

What is famine? It's a severe shortage of food
What causes it? Drought, war, and poverty are common causes
How does it affect people? It leads to starvation and widespread suffering

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

Disaster Scarcity

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

Starvation Malnutrition

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

Crisis Emergency

Indexes

environmental factor event natural disaster societal

Related

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