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

Maximilian’s ouster and death stunned many Europeans, who blamed Napoleon III for the bloodshed. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

These laws had accumulated piecemeal over generations, but American critics portrayed them as a single system with bloodshed at its center. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

After those twelve days, the bloodshed followed a deliberate design. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Out of the chaos and bloodshed of the war, an opportunity for English-speaking Syrians had emerged, a dangerous but well-paid role for those who were willing to take foreign journalists to the front lines. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 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