martyr

1 of 2

noun

mar·​tyr ˈmär-tər 

1

: a person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion

2

: a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle

a martyr to the cause of freedom

3

: victim

especially : a great or constant sufferer

a martyr to asthma all his life

—A. J. Cronin

martyrization

ˌmär-tə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

martyrize

ˈmär-tə-ˌrīz 

transitive verb

martyr

2 of 2

verb

martyred; martyring; martyrs

transitive verb

1

: to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or profession

2

: to inflict agonizing pain on : torture

Examples of martyr in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The fatal victims in Lebanon are being described in some local mosques as martyrs. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Oct. 2024

Gao Zhen, a Chinese artist known for works critiquing the Cultural Revolution, was detained in China on suspicion of slandering China's heroes and martyrs, which can carry a sentence of up to three years in prison, according to his brother Gao Qiang. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 3 Sep. 2024

Verb

Was Laurent going to need to be martyred in order to spark rebirth in the world? —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 29 Sep. 2024

Herzog wasn’t martyred for his art, and he should be relieved by that. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin, from Greek martyr-, martys witness

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

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

Phrases Containing martyr

• play the martyr

Kids Definition

martyr

1 of 2 noun

mar·​tyr ˈmärt-ər 

1

: a person who suffers death rather than give up his or her religion

2

: one who sacrifices life or something of great value for a principle or cause

3

: a person who suffers greatly

martyr

2 of 2 verb

1

: to put to death for refusing to give up a belief

2

: torture entry 2