ENGLISH
REFERENCE

holocaust

n.
US //ˈhɑɫəˌkɔst// UK //hˈɒləkˌɔːst// holo·caust
  1. 1 the Nazi genocide (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the systematic murder of millions of Jews and other groups by the Nazi government during World War II.

    The systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others by the Nazi regime. Usually capitalized as 'the Holocaust'.

    Example

    Students visited the museum to learn about the history of the Holocaust.

    Example

    The Holocaust remains a central subject of study in modern European history, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred and state-sponsored violence.
  2. 2 mass destruction (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a very large-scale destruction of life, especially one caused by fire or nuclear war.

    Extensive destruction or loss of life, especially on a mass scale; often used to describe the potential results of nuclear conflict.

    Example

    Many people feared that a nuclear war would lead to a global holocaust.

    Example

    Environmentalists warned that the rapid deforestation of the region would result in a biological holocaust for local species.
  3. 3 burnt offering (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical Religion

    a religious sacrifice that is completely destroyed by fire.

    A sacrificial offering that is entirely consumed by flames. Historically used in ancient religious contexts.

    Example

    The ancient text describes a holocaust offered to the gods.

    Example

    The ritual required a perfect animal for the holocaust, ensuring the entire offering was reduced to ashes upon the altar.

    Usage

    In this technical sense, the word is often used in biblical or historical studies.
Origin

The noun is derived from Middle English holocaust (“burnt offering”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman holocauste, Old French holocauste, olocauste (modern French holocaust), from Late Latin holocaustum, from Ancient Greek ὁλόκαυστον (holókauston), the neuter form of ὁλόκαυστος (holókaustos, “wholly burnt”), from ὅλος (hólos, “entire, whole”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European solh₂- (“whole”)) + καυστός (kaustós, “burnt”) (from καίω (kaíō, “to burn, burn up”); further etymology uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European keh₂w-). The verb is derived from the noun. As regards verb sense 3 (“to subject (a group of people) to a holocaust”), compare the use of genocide as a verb.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026