Survival
sərˈvaɪvəl
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in the face of adversity.
sərˈvaɪvəl
The state of continuing to live or exist, especially in spite of difficult circumstances.
The survival of the company depended on its ability to adapt to the changing market.
💡 Simply: Survival is like when you're playing a game, and you have to keep going even when it's tough! It's about staying alive or continuing, like when a plant survives through a drought, or you make it through a hard day.
👶 For kids: Staying alive!
More Examples
The main goal of the rescue team was the survival of the trapped miners.
After the shipwreck, the sailors' main concern was survival on the desert island.
How It's Used
"The survival of a species depends on its ability to adapt to its environment."
"The organization provides aid to ensure the survival of refugees."
"The hikers focused on their survival after getting lost in the mountains."
The continuation of success, often in challenging circumstances; the state of not being destroyed or defeated.
sərˈvaɪvəl
The ability to continue or be successful in a difficult situation.
The company's survival in the face of rising competition was remarkable.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, things are really tough, like a hard job or a complicated problem. Survival is like when you make it through the hard stuff and keep going. It's about succeeding when things get difficult.
👶 For kids: When something keeps going even when it's hard.
More Examples
The survival of democracy is threatened by disinformation and political polarization.
Scientists are studying ways to improve the survival of patients with rare diseases.
How It's Used
"Business owners focus on the survival of their enterprise during economic downturns."
"Political analysts discussed the survival of the current administration in light of the scandal."
Synonyms
Continuation
Existence
Life
Persistence
Subsistence
Endurance
Perseverance
Prosperity
Success
Idioms & expressions
survival of the fittest
The concept that the organisms best adapted to their environment are the ones most likely to survive and reproduce.
"In the harsh economic climate, only the survival of the fittest businesses thrived."
From Middle English *survivaille*, from Old French *survivance* (modern French *survie*), from *survivre* 'to survive'.
The term 'survival' has been used since the 16th century, initially referring to outliving others or enduring hardship. Its biological and evolutionary contexts solidified in the 19th century.
Memory tip
Think of the 'viable' part – surviving makes something 'viable' or able to continue.