Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

genocide

play
noun geno·cide \ˈje-nə-ˌsīd\

Definition of genocide

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

genocidal

play \ˌje-nə-ˈsī-dəl\ adjective

See genocide defined for English-language learners

See genocide defined for kids

Related to genocide

fun-fact
Trending at Merriam-Webster: Week of 3/13

Origin and Etymology of genocide

see gen-


First Known Use: 1944

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

GENOCIDE Defined for English Language Learners

genocide

play
noun geno·cide \ˈje-nə-ˌsīd\

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

play
noun geno·cide \ˈjen-ə-ˌsīd\

Medical Definition of genocide

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

genocidal

\ˌjen-ə-ˈsīd-əl\play adjective

Law Dictionary

genocide

play
noun geno·cide \ˈje-nə-ˌsīd\

Legal Definition of genocide

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

Learn More about genocide

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of genocide Nglish: Translation of genocide for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of genocide for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genocide

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up genocide? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

WORD OF THE DAY

billet-doux

play

a love letter

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. corroborate, dossier, & salacious 'A file containing detailed records'

  2. l'état, c'est moi 'I myself am the nation'

  3. tergiversation 'Evasion of straightforward action or clear-cut statement'

  4. inclement When the weather is unmerciful

  5. impugn 'to oppose or attack as false or lacking integrity'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

genocide

WORD GAMES

Take a 3-minute break and test your skills!

  • happy-valentines-day
  • Which word used to mean sweetheart or darling?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

ring-finger
How the 'Ring Finger' Got Its Name

Leeches and earwax

trivia
Where Does the Word 'Trivia' Come From?

You may be quizzed on this later

balayage
What's 'Balayage'?

The highlight(s) of your week

ignoramus
'Positive', 'Cheat', and 7 Other Words from Law

Don't be an ignoramus

Ask the Editors

woman_shrug_shoulder
Is it 'I Could Care Less' or 'I Couldn't Care Less'?

Because we care

peter_talk_about_word_of_the_year_2016
2016 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'surreal'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

happy-valentines-day
Valentine's Day Quiz

A quiz for lovers and haters

Take the quiz
challenging-maze
Challenging Vocab Quiz

Our most difficult quiz yet.

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Dictionary Devil
Dictionary Devil

The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?

Play the game