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

But historians say Rome’s violent persecution of Christians was sporadic, and the number of martyrs has been exaggerated. —John Blake, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025

For much of church history, the communion of saints was largely a communion of martyrs, and to read about their lives was to reflect, by necessity, on the extravagant horror of their deaths. —Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

Verb

Gregorios Bishara, priest of the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation, was martyred this morning at the hands of the pro-HTS armed factions that raided the city of Baniyas. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025

King was martyred for his role in that struggle for freedom and equality that has bettered the lives of all Americans, not solely African-Americans. —Paul L. Newman, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for martyr

• arter
• barter
• charter
• darter
• garter
• smarter
• starter
• tartar

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