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

What is more likely to happen is a third uprising on the West Bank, followed by massive bloodshed between Palestinians and settlers. — Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2026

The legacy of the steppe is not simply one of bloodshed and the muscular assertion of power, just as the legacy of European history is not just one of laws and the orderly restraint of power. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

The Malheur standoff also drew in the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team, which Northern California sheriffs credited for talking down the Henrichsens and ending last month’s kidnapping without bloodshed. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026

There is plenty of bloodshed and adrenaline, but those action scenes serve mostly as retribution and to tie up loose plot points. — Whitney Friedlander, Variety, 6 Aug. 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