- 1[uncountable] the state of continuing to live or exist, often despite difficulty or danger the struggle/battle/fight for survival His only chance of survival was a heart transplant. Exporting is necessary for our economic survival. Continued trade in these products is a threat to the survival of the species.
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- 2[countable] survival (from something) something that has continued to exist from an earlier time synonym relic The ceremony is a survival from pre-Christian times. Idioms
the principle that only the people or things that are best adapted to their surroundings will continue to exist
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