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Cannibalize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cannibalize

[หˆkรฆnษชbษ™lสŒษชz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

business practice

To cannibalize means to take away customers or sales from one of your own products when introducing a new product or service. This term is often used in marketing and product development contexts, where a company's new offering may compete with its existing products. While it can lead to increased overall market share, it can also result in shifting revenue rather than creating new sales. Companies strategically choose to cannibalize to maintain relevance and competitiveness in rapidly evolving markets.

Synonyms

consume, deplete, exploit.

Examples of usage

  • The new smartphone model may cannibalize sales of the previous version.
  • By launching the updated version, the company risks cannibalizing its own product line.
  • The marketing team was concerned that the new service would cannibalize existing subscriptions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Business & Economics

  • In the business world, a company may cannibalize its own products by releasing a new item that takes sales away from an existing one.
  • This strategy can be intentional and beneficial, helping a company to dominate a market but can also risk diluting brand identity.
  • Understanding consumer preferences is crucial to decide when it's advantageous to introduce a product that cannibalizes another.

Technology

  • In computing, to cannibalize often refers to using components from one device or system to enhance another.
  • This practice can lead to cost savings and quicker upgrades in technology companies.
  • However, it may also lead to the discontinuation of older technology, raising ethical concerns about planned obsolescence.

Psychology

  • Psychologically, this term highlights competitive behavior where individuals or groups prioritize their own survival or success at the expense of others in the same category.
  • This can lead to increased pressure and competition among peers, particularly in performance-driven environments.
  • Understanding these dynamics can help in creating healthier work or social environments.

Literature & Culture

  • In literature, cannibalism symbolizes conflict and survival, often representing deeper existential themes in storytelling.
  • Cultural narratives sometimes explore cannibalism as a metaphor for aggressive competition or dominance in various aspects of life.
  • Films and books use the idea of cannibalism to critique societal norms and highlight moral dilemmas faced by characters.

Origin of 'cannibalize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'cannibal', referring to the practice of eating one's own kind, particularly in a cultural context.
  • It first appeared in the English language in the early 1600s, originally describing the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.
  • The concept has evolved to include metaphorical uses in business and technology, such as companies taking resources from themselves.

The term 'cannibalize' originates from the word 'cannibal', which derives from the Spanish word 'canรญbal', itself adapted from the Carib language. The actual meaning connected to the practice of eating human flesh came into English in the early 17th century. However, the usage of 'cannibalize' in a financial and business context emerged much later, in the 20th century. It metaphorically applies the idea of 'eating' oneโ€™s own resources or market share, akin to a cannibal consuming its own kind. In today's business terminology, it reflects the strategic choices companies make when launching new products that might detract from their existing offerings.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,165, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.