malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-nu̇-ˈtri-shən 

-nyu̇-

: 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

Lowering these percentages further than necessary can lead to malnutrition, so always consult with your veterinarian before starting a low-protein diet. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026

Crohn’s Disease affects the entire digestive system, and symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss, as well as malnutrition and mouth sores. —Lindy Segal, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

As a result, Germany's civilian population faced severe food shortages and widespread malnutrition in the latter years of the war. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026

The number of people with severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous and deadly kind, is expected to increase to 800,000, the world’s foremost experts on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, said in February. —Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for malnutrition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition especially due to inadequate intake of nutrients

Medical Definition

malnutrition

noun

mal·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌmal-n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən 

: faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization

malnutritional

-ᵊl 

adjective