# slaughter

/ˈsɫɔtɝ/ (US) · /slˈɔːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slaughter
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. killing animals for food

noun · CEFR B2

the act of killing animals, usually to prepare them as meat for people to eat.

For teachers: the systematic killing of livestock or other animals, typically for food production.

- The cattle were transported to the city for slaughter.
- Strict regulations govern the transport and slaughter of livestock to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained throughout the supply chain.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in the context of the food industry.

### 2. a massacre

noun · CEFR B2

the violent killing of a large number of people, especially in a war.

For teachers: the brutal and indiscriminate killing of many people; a massacre.

- The history books describe the terrible slaughter that took place during the battle.
- The international community condemned the senseless slaughter of civilians caught in the crossfire of the civil war.

### 3. to kill for food

verb · CEFR B2

to kill an animal so that its meat can be sold or eaten.

For teachers: to kill animals for food; to butcher.

- The farmer slaughters a few pigs every autumn to feed his family through the winter.
- In many traditional cultures, the community gathers to help slaughter and process the meat after a successful hunt.

### 4. to massacre people

verb · CEFR B2

to kill many people in a very violent way.

For teachers: to kill a large number of people indiscriminately or in a cruel manner.

- The invading army proceeded to slaughter everyone they found in the village.
- The general was later tried for war crimes after his troops were found to have slaughtered hundreds of unarmed prisoners.

### 5. to defeat easily

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to beat an opponent very easily in a game or competition.

For teachers: to defeat an opponent decisively or overwhelmingly.

- Our team was slaughtered in the final, losing by six goals.
- The defending champions were absolutely slaughtered in the opening round, a result that shocked the entire sporting world.

Teaching tip: This sense is common in sports journalism and casual conversation to describe a one-sided match.

## Examples

- The farmer took the cows to the market for slaughter.
- The historical documentary detailed the brutal slaughter of innocent civilians during the final days of the war.
- The general was haunted by the memory of the senseless slaughter on the battlefield, where thousands of young men fell in a single afternoon of fighting.

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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.