killings
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɪɫɪŋz// UK //kˈɪlɪŋz// killings
n. the act of ending a life, especially in a violent or illegal way. It is often used in news reports to talk about many deaths happening at once.
n. the act of causing death, typically referring to instances of homicide or slaughter. Often used in the plural to describe a series of violent events or a high death toll.
The police are investigating the recent killings in the city.
Local news outlets reported on the series of killings that occurred during the civil unrest last summer.
The documentary examines the systemic factors that led to the mass killings, providing a somber look at a period of history often overlooked by modern textbooks.
Usage
Commonly used in the plural form when referring to multiple victims or a sequence of events.