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.
Police and witnesses, including the neighbor who called 911, said Ashley did not have any visible injuries other than a small scratch that appeared to have occurred days before the slaying. Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 After the slaying of the Snake, developer Sucker Punch Productions gives players the freedom to explore the land on their own. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025 In the days after the slaying, Hawksworth returned to the home several times, in what prosecutors allege was an attempt to cover up his involvement in the murder. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025 The suspension followed threats by Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, on a right-wing podcast about comments Kimmel made in a monologue about the suspect in the slaying of Charlie Kirk. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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