From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfaminefam‧ine /ˈfæmɪn/ ●○○ noun [countable, uncountable] HUNGRY/STARVINGa situation in which a large number of people have little or no food for a long time and many people die the great potato famine in Irelandsevere/widespread famine Widespread famine had triggered a number of violent protests. A million people are facing famine.
Examples from the Corpus
famine• Also invoked against famine and plagues.• Similarly, it is indefensible to be inactive in the face of third world poverty and famine.• Millions of people in Africa continue to die because of war and famine.• Paradoxically, it was the grain-surplus areas which were most at risk of severe deprivation and periodic famine.• Since the seed for this year's crops has been eaten, the risk of a prolonged famine is increasing.• In this way famine can be prevented now and in the future.• The four-year drought has caused widespread famine across Afghanistan.facing famine• United Nations experts say as many as four million people are facing famine after a severe drought and crop failure.Origin famine (1300-1400) French Latin fames “hungry condition” 