1 [no obj] a : to remain alive : to continue to live
▪ I don't see how any creature can survive under those conditions. ▪ bacteria that survive in extreme temperatures ▪ (humorous) He didn't think he could survive without golf. — often + on ▪ The plant survives on very little water. ▪ They managed to survive on his small salary. ▪ (humorous) I mainly survived on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I was in college.
b : to continue to exist
▪ Only a few written records survive from those times. ▪ These ancient practices still survive in some regions. ▪ Some of the original bridges survive. ▪ Many businesses are struggling to survive in today's economy. 2 [+ obj] : to remain alive after the death of (someone) : outlive
▪ Only his son survived him. ▪ She survived her husband by only a few years. — often used as (be) survived ▪ She is survived by her three children. 3 [+ obj] a : to continue to be alive or to exist after (something)
▪ They survived the crash/flood. ▪ The fruit trees didn't survive [=live through] the harsh winter. ▪ This type of plant cannot survive [=withstand] temperatures below freezing.
b : to continue to function, succeed, etc., in spite of (something)
▪ He survived a political scandal and was elected to the state legislature. ▪ The company survived the recession. ▪ helpful hints for surviving the holidays
▪ I don't see how any creature can survive under those conditions. ▪ bacteria that survive in extreme temperatures ▪ (humorous) He didn't think he could survive without golf. — often + on ▪ The plant survives on very little water. ▪ They managed to survive on his small salary. ▪ (humorous) I mainly survived on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I was in college.
b : to continue to exist
▪ Only a few written records survive from those times. ▪ These ancient practices still survive in some regions. ▪ Some of the original bridges survive. ▪ Many businesses are struggling to survive in today's economy.
▪ Only his son survived him. ▪ She survived her husband by only a few years. — often used as (be) survived ▪ She is survived by her three children.
▪ They survived the crash/flood. ▪ The fruit trees didn't survive [=live through] the harsh winter. ▪ This type of plant cannot survive [=withstand] temperatures below freezing.
b : to continue to function, succeed, etc., in spite of (something)
▪ He survived a political scandal and was elected to the state legislature. ▪ The company survived the recession. ▪ helpful hints for surviving the holidays
— sur·viv·able
/sɚˈvaɪvəbəl/ adjective [more survivable; most survivable]
▪ This form of cancer is survivable if it's detected early.
/sɚˈvaɪvəbəl/ adjective [more survivable; most survivable] ▪ This form of cancer is survivable if it's detected early.
— surviving adjective
▪ one of the few surviving traditions ▪ His son is his sole surviving heir.
▪ one of the few surviving traditions ▪ His son is his sole surviving heir.






