survivesurvivesurvivessurvivedsurvivingverb (survives, surviving, survived)to continue to live in or after a difficult or dangerous time: Camels can survive for many days without water. Only one person survived the plane crash.▶ survivalsurvivalsurvivalsnoun (no plural): Food and water are necessary for survival.▶ survivorsurvivorsurvivorsnoun: The government sent help to the survivors of the earthquake.