butcher

verb

butchered; butchering ˈbu̇-chə-riŋ 

ˈbu̇ch-

transitive verb

1

: to slaughter and dress for market

butcher hogs

2

: to kill in a barbarous manner

3

: botch

butchered the play

Synonyms of butcher

• slaughter

Examples of butcher in a Sentence

They've hired someone to butcher the hogs.

Many innocent people were butchered under his regime.

The band has butchered my favorite song.

Recent Examples on the Web

Normally, that involves making stone tools, butchering deer, or distilling birch tar. —ArsTechnica, 2 June 2026

From tasting menus that spotlight a single grain variety to butcher counters featuring specific heritage breeds, professional kitchens are translating obscure agricultural choices into experiences diners remember. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026

Newmark warns that the pig-butchering problem is likely to get worse thanks to AI. —Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026

People began losing touch with butchering an entire animal, as well as with preparation methods for organ meats. —Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing butcher

• butcher-bird
• butcher block
• butcher paper
• have/take a butcher's

Kids Definition

butcher

1 of 2 noun

butch·​er ˈbu̇ch-ər 

1

a

: one whose business is killing animals for sale as food

b

: a dealer in meat

2

: a person who kills in large numbers or in a brutal manner

butcher

2 of 2 verb

butchered; butchering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to slaughter and prepare for market

butcher hogs

2

: to kill in a barbarous manner : massacre

3

: to make a mess of : botch

butchered the performance