holocaust

noun

ho·​lo·​caust ˈhō-lə-ˌkȯst How to pronounce holocaust (audio)
ˈhä-,
 also  -ˌkäst,
 or  ˈhȯ-lə-kȯst
1
: a sacrifice (see sacrifice entry 1 sense 2) consumed by fire
2
: a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life especially through fire
a nuclear holocaust
3
a
usually the Holocaust : the mass slaughter of European civilians and especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II
Several members of her family died in the Holocaust.
a Holocaust survivor
b
: a mass slaughter of people
especially : genocide
a holocaust in Rwanda

Examples of holocaust in a Sentence

The museum is devoted to the Holocaust. There were fears of a nuclear holocaust.
Recent Examples on the Web Guided tour focuses on women’s experiences during the holocaust. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 Denying the holocaust, spreading hate, and attacking our people. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2024 It was said to be the largest murder of jewish people since the holocaust of WWII. Simon Constable, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The holocaust drama doesn’t show us the horrors and evils, but audiences hear it. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 Such hate led to the holocaust, a term increasingly misunderstood and often inaccurately weaponized. Chris Yogerst, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2023 Orlando holocaust museum unveils a new design The design of the $57.5 million Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity in downtown Orlando has been refined in part to address security risks. Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024 An antisemitic message was sprayed on the back of a holocaust survivor's apartment building in Beverly Hills in late October, police said. Jolie Lash, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2023 Grandparents, holocaust survivors, people who are sick and in urgent need of medical care and medication. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'holocaust.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin holocaustum, from Greek holokauston, from neuter of holokaustos burnt whole, from hol- + kaustos burnt, from kaiein to burn — more at caustic

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of holocaust was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near holocaust

Cite this Entry

“Holocaust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holocaust. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

holocaust

noun
ho·​lo·​caust ˈhō-lə-ˌkȯst How to pronounce holocaust (audio)
ˈhäl-ə-,
 also  -ˌkäst,
 or  ˈhȯ-lə-ˌkȯst
1
: a sacrifice destroyed by fire
2
: a thorough destruction especially by fire
3
a
often capitalized : the killing of European civilians and especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II
b

More from Merriam-Webster on holocaust

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