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
ˌka-nə-bə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
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 ended with the cannibalism ramping up and Shauna in particular turning to the darker side. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026 In 1828, opponents accused presidential candidate Andrew Jackson of murder and cannibalism. — Monique Mitchell Turner, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026 In particular, Greek mathematician-philosopher Pythagoras and his disciples may have associated beans with reincarnation, so some thought eating them was technically an act of cannibalism. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 The serious young man asked if I’d heard about that case of cannibalism in Florida. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for cannibalism

See All Rhymes for cannibalism

Browse Nearby Words

cannibalise
cannibalism
cannibalistic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cannibalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannibalism. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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
ˌkan-ə-bə-ˈlis-tik How to pronounce cannibalism (audio)
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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cannibalism

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