1
a
: a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient
b
: an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food
The small meal wasn't enough to satisfy his hunger.
c
: a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food
died of hunger
2
: a strong desire : craving
a hunger for success
hungered; hungering
ˈhəŋ-g(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to feel or suffer hunger (see hunger entry 1)
feasting while the poor hunger
2
: to have an eager desire
The nation hungers for a strong leader.
: to make hungry
Phrases
from hunger
: very bad or inept
the jokes were from hunger—
Mordecai Richler
Mordecai RichlerSynonyms
Noun
Verb
Examples of hunger in a Sentence
Noun
She has been a leader in the fight against world hunger.
One sandwich wasn't enough to satisfy his hunger.
Her students have a genuine hunger for knowledge.
Verb
voters hungering for honest and upright leadership
Recent Examples on the Web
David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
This series in collaboration with the cast and crew has proven there is a hunger to explore new frontiers in an episodic format, where actors have freedom to challenge themselves and take risks.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
Dr. Lisa Toppin, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
There has to be something in you, something that hungers for clarity.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hunger 
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Noun
The idea of bankruptcy and hunger brings on the night sweats.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
This series in collaboration with the cast and crew has proven there is a hunger to explore new frontiers in an episodic format, where actors have freedom to challenge themselves and take risks.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
People have always hungered for opportunities to stretch, grow and leverage their personal strengths and capabilities.
—Dr. Lisa Toppin, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
There has to be something in you, something that hungers for clarity.
—Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hunger
Dictionary Entries Near hunger
Cite this Entry
“Hunger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunger. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hunger
2 of 2 verb
hungered; hungering
-g(ə-)riŋ
1
: to feel or suffer hunger
2
: to have an eager desire
hungered for affection
Medical Definition
hunger
noun
hun·ger
ˈhəŋ-gər
1
: a craving, desire, or urgent need for food
2
: an uneasy sensation occasioned normally by the lack of food and resulting directly from stimulation of the sensory nerves of the stomach by the contraction and churning movement of the empty stomach
3
: a weakened disordered condition brought about by prolonged lack of food
die of hunger
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