1A famine — a severe, prolonged food shortage caused by crop failure, drought, or similar disasters.
江戸時代には天明の飢饉など大きな飢饉が何度も起きた。
During the Edo period, major famines such as the Tenmei famine occurred several times.
干ばつが続き、この国は深刻な飢饉に見舞われている。
The drought has continued, and this country is suffering from a serious famine.
戦争と飢饉によって、多くの難民が発生した。
War and famine have created many refugees.
2Used figuratively for a chronic shortage of something other than food, such as water or supplies.
都市部では深刻な水飢饉が起きることがある。
Serious water shortages can occur in urban areas.
半導体の飢饉が世界中の工場に影響を与えた。
A shortage of semiconductors has affected factories around the world.