carnage

noun

car·​nage ˈkär-nij How to pronounce carnage (audio)
1
: the flesh of slain animals or humans
a multitude of dogs came to feast on the carnageT. B. Macaulay
2
: great and usually bloody slaughter or injury (as in battle)
the carnage of war

Examples of carnage in a Sentence

Reporters described the highway accident as a scene of carnage. the appalling carnage in that war-torn country requires that the outside world intervene
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the wake of such carnage and with such intense hatred on both sides, how could the French people reconcile with each other? Time, 21 Oct. 2025 There was carnage all over the country in college football Saturday, as multiple top-10 teams and undefeated ones were upset, causing chaos in most conferences. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2025 The carnage comes for those willing to absorb it. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 The ensuing carnage was swift and savage. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carnage

Word History

Etymology

French, from Medieval Latin carnaticum tribute consisting of animals or meat, from Latin carn-, caro — see carnal

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of carnage was in 1614

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carnage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnage. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

carnage

noun
car·​nage ˈkär-nij How to pronounce carnage (audio)
: great destruction of life (as in battle) : slaughter

More from Merriam-Webster on carnage

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