slaying

noun

slay·​ing ˈslā-iŋ How to pronounce slaying (audio)
plural slayings
: the act of killing a person : killing, murder
used chiefly in journalistic writing
a gangland slaying
Sunday's slayings bring to 14 the number of killings this year in what police call gang-related attacks.Peter Stein
He is accused of ordering the 1989 slayings and robberies of three drug dealers …Joseph P. Fried

Examples of slaying in a Sentence

a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of them recorded the slaying on video, according to the local sheriff – a brutal and confusing fact for Lindsey. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Prater hands Dexter a knife to facilitate Batista’s slaying. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025 Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter for her role in the double-slaying. David K. Li, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025 In 2003, the city’s most recent death penalty trial, federal prosecutors sought capital punishment for Rodney Moore, convicted in 10 slayings, and Kevin Gray, convicted in 19. Nik Popli, Time, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slaying

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slaying was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on slaying

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!