slaughter

1 of 2

noun

slaugh·​ter ˈslȯ-tər 

1

: the act of killing

specifically : the butchering of livestock for market

2

: killing of great numbers of human beings (as in battle or a massacre) : carnage

slaughter

2 of 2

verb

slaughtered; slaughtering; slaughters

transitive verb

1

: to kill (animals) for food : butcher

2

a

: to kill in a bloody or violent manner : slay

b

: to kill in large numbers : massacre

3

: to discredit, defeat, or demolish completely

slaughterer

ˈslȯ-tər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• bloodbath
• butchery
• carnage
• death
• holocaust
• massacre

Verb

• butcher
• massacre
• mow (down)

Examples of slaughter in a Sentence

Noun

the slaughter of innocent people

all civilized nations should protest this senseless slaughter

Verb

Our team got slaughtered yesterday.

modern poultry farms slaughter a vast number of chickens every day

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Products contain cells originally harvested from live animals, but this is arguably very different to rearing livestock for slaughter; some people argue cultured meat products are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. —David Prosser, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

The Vegetarian, the book that boosted her global profile, is about a woman who chooses to stop eating meat after having violent dreams about animal slaughter. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024

Verb

The Gaels slaughtered them and drove them from their homes, dispossessing them of their lands just as the British would eventually dispossess the Gaels. —Saki Knafo, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2024

One year ago today, under the cover of rocket fire, thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel to commit unspeakable horrors — slaughtering babies, raping women, burning homes, and kidnapping civilians. —The Editors, National Review, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse slātra to slaughter; akin to Old English sleaht slaughter, slēan to slay — more at slay

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing slaughter

• like a lamb to the slaughter
• pre-slaughter
• self-slaughter

Kids Definition

slaughter

1 of 2 noun

slaugh·​ter ˈslȯt-ər 

1

: the act of killing

especially : the butchering of livestock for market

2

: destruction of human lives in large numbers (as in war or a massacre)

slaughter

2 of 2 verb

1

: to kill an animal for food : butcher

2

: to kill without mercy or in large numbers : massacre

slaughterer

ˈslȯt-ər-ər 

noun