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
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
Andrew V. Papachristos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
There’s a great hunger on the part of many American conservatives, including conservative Christians, for disruption.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2025
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
Students from across disciplines—business, education, nursing, arts and sciences—all hungered for this practical wisdom.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hunger
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Noun
In recent research on child poverty, economists have shown that nutrition assistance programs not only reduce hunger, addressing humanitarian concerns, but also improve children’s long-term health and economic self-sufficiency, addressing fiscal concerns.
—Verb
The modern dress production at the Barbican is executed with the kind of infectious dynamism for which audiences hunger.
—Cite this Entry
“Hunger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunger. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Kids 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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