# sacrificial

/ˌsækɹəˈfɪʃəɫ/ (US) · /sˌækɹɪfˈɪʃəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sacrificial
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. religious ritual

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

used in or related to a religious ceremony where something is offered to a god.

For teachers: relating to or used in the ritualistic offering of an animal, object, or person to a deity.

- The archaeologists found a sacrificial altar deep inside the ancient temple.
- The museum displayed several sacrificial vessels used by the priests during the spring equinox ceremonies to ensure a bountiful harvest.

### 2. giving something up

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes something that is given up or destroyed to achieve a goal or protect something else.

For teachers: offered or surrendered for the sake of a higher cause or strategic advantage.

- He made a sacrificial effort to finish the project, giving up his entire weekend.
- In a bold move, the grandmaster made a sacrificial play by losing his knight to gain a decisive positional advantage.

### 3. technical protection

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describes a part designed to be destroyed so that the main machine or structure stays safe.

For teachers: denoting a component designed to be consumed or destroyed in order to protect a more expensive or vital part.

- The boat has a sacrificial metal strip to prevent the main hull from rusting.
- Engineers installed sacrificial anodes on the bridge supports to attract corrosion away from the primary steel structure.

## Examples

- He made a sacrificial move to save his queen in the chess game.
- The ancient temple contained a sacrificial altar where offerings were placed during the harvest festival.
- In many classic tragedies, the hero's downfall serves a sacrificial function, restoring moral order to the community at the cost of their own life or happiness.

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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.