self-sacrifice

noun

self-sac·​ri·​fice ˌself-ˈsa-krə-ˌfīs 

also -fəs

or -ˌfīz

: sacrifice of oneself or one's interest for others or for a cause or ideal

Examples of self-sacrifice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That has not stopped the computer programs from becoming a beloved part of the MCU, though, which is why the writers can get away with presenting JARVIS deleting his code to clear server space as heroic act of self-sacrifice in the second episode. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

This image influenced the Italian view of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, in which European journalists presented the Japanese soldiers as samurai-like paragons of discipline and self-sacrifice. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 22 Sep. 2026

Over in Massachusetts, Frances learns that only an Owens woman’s self-sacrifice can liberate all Owens women from the curse of lovelessness. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

Today’s Leo solar eclipse asks you to quit romanticizing self-sacrifice. — Usa Today, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-sacrifice

• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis
• gneiss

Kids Definition

self-sacrifice

noun

self-sac·​ri·​fice

ˈself-ˈsak-rə-ˌfīs, 

-fəs

: an unselfish giving over of oneself or one's own interest for others

self-sacrificing

-ˌfī-siŋ

adjective