# assassination

/əˌsæsəˈneɪʃən/ (US) · /ɐsˌæsɪnˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/assassination
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the murder of a famous or important person, usually for political reasons. You use this word when the victim is a leader, like a president or a king.

For teachers: the murder of a prominent person, often a political leader or public figure, typically carried out for political or ideological motives. Often involves a sudden or secret attack.

## Examples

- The assassination of the president shocked the entire nation.
- Security forces were on high alert following rumors of a planned assassination against the visiting diplomat.
- Historians often debate whether the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the sole cause of the war or merely the final spark in a volatile political landscape.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the murder of the president was an assassination" but "the assassination of the president" — While technically a murder, 'assassination' is the specific term used for political figures; using 'murder' can sound imprecise in a formal or historical context.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general act or method; countable when referring to specific historical instances.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.