eating disorder

noun

: any of several psychological disorders (such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia) characterized by serious disturbances of eating behavior

Examples of eating disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the next four years, DSM-6 has a chance to make that expectation explicit by recognizing digital environments as part of the broader clinical context in which eating disorders develop, persist, and recover. Jessica Scheer, STAT, 2 Sep. 2026 Parents, politicians and child advocacy groups are worried that social media is contributing to depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other issues. Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Charlotte has Ogden Syndrome, a rare condition that can cause severe developmental delays, and pica, an eating disorder that prompts her to try to eat nearly everything in reach, including non-food items. Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Activist Shannon Watts and author of Fight Like A Mom and the bestseller Fired Up, is a mother of an adult child who has struggled with an eating disorder for decades. Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eating disorder

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eating disorder was in 1961

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eating disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eating%20disorder. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

eating disorder

noun
: any of several disorders (as bulimia) marked by abnormal eating behaviors

Medical Definition

eating disorder

noun
: any of several psychological disorders (as anorexia nervosa or bulimia) characterized by serious disturbances of eating behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on eating disorder

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!