butchery

noun

butch·​ery ˈbu̇-chə-rē 

ˈbu̇ch-

plural butcheries

1

chiefly British : slaughterhouse

2

: the preparation of meat for sale

3

: cruel and ruthless slaughter of human beings

4

: botch

Synonyms

• slaughter
• massacre

Examples of butchery in a Sentence

the butchery of civilians during the war

butchery on a scale that horrified the civilized world

Recent Examples on the Web

Griffiths brings the journey of wild turkey from the hunt to the table, offering readers a guide that includes butchery and over 100 recipes. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

While the Pahalgam massacre triggered Jews with flashbacks to October 7, October 7, in turn, triggered Hindus with flashbacks to the sadistic butchery in Kashmir over three decades ago. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025

With rare and heritage breed livestock born, raised, finished, and butchered on the estate, the butchery gives The Newt even greater control over the quality, provenance, and traceability of its meat. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

That’s what cooks do at Jeju, a Portland, Oregon, restaurant that specializes in whole-animal butchery. —Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

butchery

noun

butch·​ery ˈbu̇ch-(ə-)rē 

plural butcheries

: brutal murder : great slaughter