sacrifice

²sacrifice

verb

sacrificedsacrific·ing

Definition of SACRIFICE

transitive verb

1

: to offer as a sacrifice

2

: to suffer loss of, give up, renounce, injure, or destroy especially for an ideal, belief, or end

3

: to sell at a loss

4

: to advance (a base runner) by means of a sacrifice hit

5

: to kill (an animal) as part of a scientific experiment

intransitive verb

1

: to make or perform the rites of a sacrifice

2

: to make a sacrifice hit in baseball

— sac·ri·fic·er noun

Examples of SACRIFICE

1. She's had to sacrifice a lot for her family.
2. He sacrificed his personal life in order to get ahead in his career.
3. I want to follow a diet that is healthful without sacrificing taste.
4. She was able to ask for their help without sacrificing her dignity.
5. She was willing to suffer, sacrifice, and work for success.
6. a place where people were sacrificed in ancient rituals
7. He sacrificed in his first at bat.

First Known Use of SACRIFICE

14th century

Related to SACRIFICE

Synonyms: immolate, offer

Related Words: consecrate, dedicate, devote; give, hand over, surrender, yield

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