hec·a·tomb
| \ ˈhe-kə-ˌtōm
\
\
Definition of hecatomb
1
: an ancient Greek and Roman sacrifice of 100 oxen or cattle
2
: the sacrifice or slaughter of many victims
Learn More About hecatomb
Statistics for hecatomb
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Hecatomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hecatomb. Accessed 19 May. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
You're (Probably) Saying It Wrong
18 words even you might be mispronouncing
-
Great Big List of Beautiful & Useless Words
Along with their degrees of usefulness
-
12 French Phrases from Downton Abbey
Noblesse oblige?
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
The Great British Vocabulary Quiz
Make sure you know the difference between a loo a...
Take the quiz
-
Face Your Fears
Don't be scared to answer these questions about f...
Take the quiz
-
Yearbook Superlatives Quiz
"Most Likely to Use Obscure Words"
Take the quiz
-
Lexigo
Find the hidden words by solving the clues
Take the quiz
Share hecatomb
Time Traveler for hecatomb
The first known use of hecatomb was circa 1592
See more words from the same year