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malnutrition

American  
[mal-noo-trish-uhn, -nyoo-] / ˌmæl nuˈtrɪʃ ən, -nyu- /

noun

  1. lack of proper nutrition; inadequate or unbalanced nutrition.

malnutrition British  
/ ˌmælnjuːˈtrɪʃən /

noun

  1. lack of adequate nutrition resulting from insufficient food, unbalanced diet, or defective assimilation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
malnutrition Scientific  
/ măl′no̅o̅-trĭsh′ən /

  1. Poor nutrition caused by an insufficient, oversufficient, or poorly balanced diet or by a medical condition, such as chronic diarrhea, resulting in inadequate digestion or utilization of foods.

malnutrition Cultural  

  1. Inadequate nutrition caused by the lack of a balanced diet or by disorders of the digestive system in which the nutrients from food cannot be absorbed properly.

Etymology

Origin of malnutrition

First recorded in 1860–65; mal- + nutrition

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Together, these changes increase the risk of malnutrition and frailty.

From Science Daily

The organisations say that they collectively support or implement more than half of all food assistance in Gaza, 60 per cent of field hospital operations and all inpatient treatment for children suffering severe acute malnutrition.

From Barron's

"The nutritional situation is very bad and malnutrition is increasing," he said.

From Barron's

The Gates Foundation plans to close in 2045, with Bill Gates planning to spend more than $200 billion until then fighting poverty, malnutrition and other global problems.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crush, a loggerhead turtle, was given life-saving treatment at New Era Veterinary Hospital in St Saviour, Jersey, after she was found extremely weak and suffering from malnutrition.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.