# cannibalism

/ˈkænəbəˌɫɪzəm/ (US) · /kˈænɪbəlˌɪzəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cannibalism
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the act of one animal eating another of its own kind, or a person eating another person. In business, it also describes when a company's new product takes sales away from its own older products.

For teachers: the practice of consuming the flesh of one's own species. In a commercial context, refers to the reduction in sales volume or market share of one product as a result of the introduction of a new product by the same producer.

## Examples

- The company worried that the new phone would lead to cannibalism of their tablet sales.
- Biologists observed cannibalism in the insect population when food sources became scarce during the long dry season.
- Market analysts warned that launching a cheaper subscription tier might result in corporate cannibalism, effectively eroding the profit margins established by the premium service.

## Usage notes

- Often used metaphorically in marketing and economics to describe internal competition.

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