Eke out Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Survival Essence Used when stretching resources for survival or minimal comfort. During the siege, they had to eke out their food to survive. Pro Tip 2/3Frugality Context Implies careful use of resources due to financial constraints, not abundance. I have to eke out my savings until I find a new job. Pro Tip 3/3Managing Scarcity Reflects a situation of scarcity, rather than using resources wastefully. They eked out the remaining water, unsure when they'd find more.