genocide

noun geno·cide \ ˈje-nə-ˌsīd \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of genocide

: the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group

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genocidal

play \ˌje-nə-ˈsī-dᵊl\ adjective

See genocide defined for English-language learners

See genocide defined for kids

Recent Examples of genocide from the Web

Markle has been a UN Women advocate since 2015 and Clooney has spoken at the UN several times in the past few years in an effort to make ISIS accountable for genocide.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Amal Clooney Is Helping Meghan Markle Adjust to Her New Life in London," 30 May 2018
That’s the foundation of this country, genocide and slavery.

— rebecca keegan, HWD, "Spike Lee on Scorching BlacKkKlansman and “This Motherfucker,” Donald Trump," 15 May 2018
There are movies about historical genocides and enslavements that compel a necessary consideration of real-life brutality.

— lisa miller, The Cut, "The Relentless Torture of The Handmaid’s Tale," 2 May 2018
Branch crisply laid out the definition of genocide and applied it to the work of the Texas Rangers.

— abe streep, Outside Online, "The Tribes v. Donald Trump," 1 May 2018
Rios Montt, who died April 1, was later charged with genocide and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed during Guatemala’s civil war.

— Washington Post, "Alvaro Arzu, Guatemalan president who helped end country’s civil war, dies at 72," 28 Apr. 2018
Over the past few years, the country has been reckoning with its history of subjugation, genocide, and enslavement.

— britni danielle, Essence.com, "NYC Finally Removes Statue Of Doctor Who Experimented On Enslaved Women," 18 Apr. 2018
Efrain Rios Montt was a Guatemalan military dictator who was charged with genocide and crimes against humanity for atrocities committed by his troops during the country’s long-running civil war.

— kansascity, "Final Chapters for April 8, 2018: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Steven Bochco | The Kansas City Star," 7 Apr. 2018
No longer enjoying parliamentary immunity, in 2013 Ríos Montt was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity.

— The Economist, "The death and cruel life of Efraín Ríos Montt," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genocide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of genocide

geno- + -cide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1944

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

GENOCIDE Defined for English Language Learners

genocide

noun

Definition of genocide for English Language Learners

: the deliberate killing of people who belong to a particular racial, political, or cultural group

Medical Dictionary

genocide

noun geno·cide \ ˈjen-ə-ˌsīd \

medical Definition of genocide

: the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group — compare homicide

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genocidal

play \ˌjen-ə-ˈsīd-ᵊl\ adjective

Law Dictionary

genocide

noun geno·cide \ ˈje-nə-ˌsīd \

legal Definition of genocide

: acts committed with intent to partially or wholly destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group; also : the crime of committing such an act