1In the absence of.

1. 1.1Not having the use or benefit of.
   ‘the first person to make the ascent without oxygen’
   More example sentences

   • ‘True, it is hard for a monk not to touch money and to live without the comforts of this world.’
   • ‘They live in rented accommodation without a car and are saving money, for a better life back home.’
   • ‘This may seem like a simple proposition, but to a man it's like you have asked him to scale Mount Everest without oxygen.’
   • ‘This is not the only fire to be reported at a property without a fitted smoke detector in recent weeks.’
   • ‘Dozens more without tickets waited outside to soak up the atmosphere.’
   • ‘American soldiers are now rarely seen outside their vehicles without helicopter and tank support.’
   • ‘They have to catch and prepare their own food, light a fire without matches and build a shelter.’
   • ‘The risk of death in a house fire is three times higher in homes without smoke alarms.’
   • ‘Is this something I could live without and still remain alive and well?’
   • ‘Last Thursday night they were engulfed by a raging fire without a sprinkler system to put it out.’
   • ‘Fire crews were due to revisit the area today to talk to neighbours and fit smoke alarms in properties without them.’
   • ‘The workers were found huddled around a fire without the proper dress for the weather.’
   • ‘The next day, he said, she reappeared, said she could not live without the children and would he object if she took them.’
   • ‘They are too numerous to mention but without them the event would not have been a success.’
   • ‘Finally we'd like to make mention of the musicians without whom this show would not have been as good as it was.’
   • ‘He has been able to get around his home with a stick but cannot manage outside without a wheel-chair.’
   • ‘If I hear a noise outside the villa, I do not go outside on my own without a torch’
   • ‘We know that without these bush fires plants won't germinate and the bush won't flourish.’
   • ‘I decided to brass it and head for the departure gate without a boarding card.’
   • ‘She even promised to give him anything he wanted if he went without meat for a week.’
   Synonyms

   lacking, in need of, wanting for, needing, requiring, short of

   View synonyms
2. 1.2often with verbal noun In circumstances in which the action mentioned does not happen.
   ‘they sat looking at each other without speaking’
   More example sentences

   • ‘I can't finish this piece without making a special mention of the lighting.’
   • ‘Hardly a day goes by without some mention in the media of a new sporting deal.’
   • ‘His second wife, Bettye, tied the knot without mentioning that she'd been married before.’
   • ‘You can now go on-line and increase your skills without going outside your door.’
   • ‘You watch the emotional drama taking place inside and outside without getting caught up in it.’
   • ‘It is very sad that these people can't manage an hour or so without smoking.’
   • ‘He forced them to surrender without a shot being fired and held them prisoner until back-up arrived.’
   • ‘Some years later the dreamer hears of a magic man who walks through fire without being burned.’
   • ‘The church has slid so far into consumerism it is nearly impossible to live out your faith without paying for it.’
   • ‘Hardly a day goes past in Otley at the moment without yet another fire apparently being deliberately started.’
   • ‘Being in hospital is stressful enough without being banned from smoking.’
   • ‘He was burned down his right arm and hand, on the back of his head and his back, but he escaped without smoke damage to his lungs.’
   • ‘He left his shirt near the fire and shuffled into the woods without removing his wet shorts.’
   • ‘What a joy to come back from a night out without cigarette smoke clinging to every fibre and to be able to wear your clothes again the next day.’
   • ‘His arms are held out straight and he continues to fire without stopping for a break.’
   • ‘Continuing to put premises to such use without applying for a Fire Certificate is an offence.’
   • ‘He fired randomly and without aiming, trying to simply heighten the confusion within the camp.’
   • ‘This thief had previous convictions and so was a felon, but the constable fired at him without knowing this.’
   • ‘A related form was the white herring, which was salted without being smoked.’
   • ‘September is a month of fruition, pleasing sunsets and being able to have a fire again without feeling guilty.’

2 archaic, literary Outside.

Outside.

1 archaic, dialect Without it being the case that.

1. 1.1Unless.
   More example sentences

   • ‘I'd never have known you without you spoke to me’