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want2
1 used to say that you do not have or cannot find what you need in a particular situation : 
The gallery closed down for want of funding.
for (the) want of something
The gallery closed down for want of funding.2 used to say that you cannot find an exact word or phrase to describe something : They should behave, for want of a better word, decently.
for want of a better word/phrase etc
They should behave, for want of a better word, decently.3 used to say that even though something did not happen or succeed, it was not because you did not try hard enough or have what you needed
not for want of something
4 if you do something for want of anything better, you do it only because there is nothing else you want to do
for want of anything better (to do)
5 something that you need but do not have : a disgraceful want of proper care
lack
[uncountable and countable] formala disgraceful want of proper care6 a situation in which you do not have enough food, money, clothes etc : the chronic want and deprivation in the townships
no food/money etc
[uncountable]the chronic want and deprivation in the townships