bloodshed

noun

blood·​shed ˈbləd-ˌshed 

1

: the shedding of blood

2

: the taking of life : slaughter

Examples of bloodshed in a Sentence

Years of violence and bloodshed have left much of the country in ruins.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sheeran should not have to share his views on the bloodshed and suffering in Gaza and the West Bank. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

In Kyiv, Kushner spoke about the war in tidily transactional language, acknowledging little of the bloodshed and destruction that Putin’s invasion has wrought. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Playing estranged siblings gave the actresses an opportunity to clash and add tension to the story before the bloodshed began. — William Earl, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

The bloodshed returns after another 11-year hiatus, but the spatter is messier, thicker, and darker, seeping into a new vision by Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bloodshed

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead
• broadhead

Kids Definition

bloodshed

noun

blood·​shed -ˌshed 

1

: the shedding of blood

2

: the taking of life : slaughter