sur·viv·al 
/sɚˈvaɪvəl/ noun
plural sur·viv·als /sɚˈvaɪvəl/ noun 1 [noncount] : the state or fact of continuing to live or exist especially in spite of difficult conditions
▪ The refugees depend on foreign aid for their survival. ▪ Small businesses are fighting/struggling for survival. ▪ the survival of an old folktale ▪ The doctor said her chance of survival [=chance that she would get better and continue to live] was about 50 percent. — often used before another noun ▪ The scouts learned basic survival skills/techniques. ▪ Patients have a high survival rate if the cancer is detected early. ▪ an animal's survival instinct [=an animal's ability to know what to do to stay alive] ▪ He uses his wits as a survival mechanism. [=as a way of protecting himself from being hurt by other people] 2 [count] : something from an earlier period that still exists or is done — usually singular ▪ The holiday custom is a survival from colonial times.
▪ The refugees depend on foreign aid for their survival. ▪ Small businesses are fighting/struggling for survival. ▪ the survival of an old folktale ▪ The doctor said her chance of survival [=chance that she would get better and continue to live] was about 50 percent. — often used before another noun ▪ The scouts learned basic survival skills/techniques. ▪ Patients have a high survival rate if the cancer is detected early. ▪ an animal's survival instinct [=an animal's ability to know what to do to stay alive] ▪ He uses his wits as a survival mechanism. [=as a way of protecting himself from being hurt by other people]
survival of the fittest 1 : natural selection 2 — used to refer to a situation in which only the people or things that are strongest, most skillful, etc., are able to succeed or to continue to exist ▪ In the business world, it's survival of the fittest.
