Hunger vs. Famine — What's the Difference?

In politics, humanitarian aid, and the social sciences, hunger is defined as a condition in which a person cannot eat sufficient food to meet basic nutritional needs for a sustained period. In the field of hunger relief, the term hunger is used in a sense that goes beyond the common desire for food that all humans experience.

A famine is a widespread scarcity of food, caused by several factors including war, inflation, crop failure, population imbalance, or government policies. This phenomenon is usually accompanied or followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and increased mortality.

A strong desire or need for food.

A drastic, wide-reaching food shortage.

The discomfort, weakness, or pain caused by a prolonged lack of food.

A drastic shortage; a dearth.

A strong desire or craving

Severe hunger; starvation.

To have a need or desire for food.

(Archaic) Extreme appetite.

To have a strong desire or craving.

(uncountable) Extreme shortage of food in a region.

To cause to experience hunger; make hungry.

(countable) A period of extreme shortage of food in a region.

A need or compelling desire for food.

(dated) Starvation or malnutrition.

(by extension) Any strong desire.

Severe shortage or lack of something.

(intransitive) To be in need of food.

General scarcity of food; dearth; a want of provisions; destitution.

To have a desire (for); to long; to yearn.

An acute insufficiency

To make hungry; to famish.

A severe shortage of food (as through crop failure) resulting in violent hunger and starvation and death

An uneasy sensation occasioned normally by the want of food; a craving or desire for food.

Any strong eager desire.

To feel the craving or uneasiness occasioned by want of food; to be oppressed by hunger.

To have an eager desire; to long.

To make hungry; to famish.

A physiological need for food; the consequence of foood deprivation

Strong desire for something (not food or drink);

Feel the need to eat

Have a craving, appetite, or great desire for

Be hungry; go without food;