malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-nu̇-ˈtri-shən How to pronounce malnutrition (audio)
-nyu̇-
Synonyms of malnutritionnext
: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

Examples of malnutrition in a Sentence

a program to help poor children suffering from malnutrition
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.
Runa’s death was attributed to malnutrition due to an eating disorder. — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 Essence Gill-Harris died on March 3 from acute and chronic neglect, including malnutrition and dehydration, according to the city Medical Examiner. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 But the rest of the world is not just where the needs are greatest—from acute childhood malnutrition to violence against women—but where the gains from philanthropy can be greatest. — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026 Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition. — Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for malnutrition

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of malnutrition was in 1862

Rhymes for malnutrition

See All Rhymes for malnutrition

Browse Nearby Words

malnourished
malnutrition
malo
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Malnutrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malnutrition. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

malnutrition

noun
mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən How to pronounce malnutrition (audio)
: faulty nutrition especially due to inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

malnutrition

noun
mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən How to pronounce malnutrition (audio)
: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization
malnutritional
-ᵊl How to pronounce malnutrition (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on malnutrition

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for malnutrition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about malnutrition

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