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

Eventually, Håkan is forced to participate in this omnipresent bloodshed, at a terrible cost to his soul and his reputation. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

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

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