(uncountable) Extreme shortage of food in a region.
(countable) A period of extreme shortage of food in a region.
1986, United States Congress, House Select Committee on Hunger, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Famine and Recovery in Africa
The root causes of the current famine are known: poverty, low health standards....
(dated) Starvation or malnutrition.
His own flesh, however, which he lost by famine, shall be restored to him by Him who can recover even what has evaporated.