martyrdom

noun

mar·​tyr·​dom ˈmär-tər-dəm 

1

: the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faith

… defended moral truth even to the point of enduring martyrdom …

—Andrew Sullivan

2

: affliction, torture

Examples of martyrdom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The student sent the informant an ISIS video calling for the killing of Jews, directions on how to record a martyrdom video, a video tutorial on bomb-making, and suggested targeting the Israeli consulate. —The Editors, National Review, 24 Dec. 2024

In the Catholic faith, red is the color of blood, fire and martyrdom, according to Jerusalem's Terra Sancta Museum. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 May 2025

Their highest goal is death through jihad; every death is, to them, a martyrdom to be replaced by the next. —Noa Tishby, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025

Motherhood is not an invitation to martyrdom, and rest for a mother should not be a privilege. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

martyrdom

noun

mar·​tyr·​dom ˈmärt-ərd-əm 

1

: the sufferings and death of a martyr

2

: torment entry 1 sense 1