Meaning

(uncountable) The killing of animals, generally for food..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) The killing of animals, generally for food.
2. A massacre; the killing of a large number of people.
3. (rare) A mass destruction of non-living things.
4. A rout or decisive defeat.
5. (collective) A group of iguanas.
6. (transitive) To butcher animals, generally for food.
7. (transitive, intransitive) To massacre people in large numbers.
8. (transitive) To kill someone or something, especially in a particularly brutal manner.

Example Sentences

1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book VI, 1773, The First Six Books of Milton's Paradise Lost, Edinburgh, page 416, For ſin, on war and mutual ſlaughter bent.

[…] I ſee Th’ Inſulting Tyrant prancing o’er the Field Strow’d with Rome’s Citizens, and drench’d in Slaughter, His Horſe’s Hoofs wet with Patrician Blood.

There was a massive slaughter of W.R. steam power at the conclusion of the summer timetable. In all, 169 locomotives were condemned.

Hurriedly he snatched up others, one or two at a time, until he had slaughtered thirty of Hrothgar's doughtiest earls.

Therefore cheere vp your mindes, prepare to fight, He that can take or ſlaughter Tamburlaine, Shall rule the Prouince of Albania.

Word Forms

• slaughters
• slaughtre
• slaughtering
• slaughtered

Synonyms for slaughter

Related Words

When Should You Use Slaughter?

Use slaughter when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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