# slaughtering

/ˈsɫɔtɝɪŋ/ (US) · /slˈɔːtəɹɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slaughtering
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the act of killing animals for food, or the killing of many people in a violent way. It describes a very bloody and messy process.

For teachers: the act of killing livestock for human consumption, or the brutal, large-scale killing of people. Often used metaphorically to describe a heavy defeat in sports or competition.

## Examples

- The slaughtering of the cattle takes place early in the morning.
- Strict regulations govern the slaughtering of animals to ensure that the process remains as humane as possible.
- The documentary provided a graphic account of the slaughtering that occurred during the civil war, forcing the international community to acknowledge the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

## Usage notes

- Often functions as a gerund noun; frequently followed by the preposition 'of'.

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