English Reference
Noun

slaying

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US /ˈsɫeɪɪŋ/ UK /slˈeɪɪŋ/ slay·ing

n.the act of killing someone or something in a violent way. It is often used in news stories about crimes or in old stories about heroes killing monsters.

n.the act of killing, especially in a violent or intentional manner. Often carries a literary or journalistic tone when describing homicides or the killing of mythical creatures.


SIMPLE

The knight was famous for his slaying of the dragon.

CONTEXTUAL

Local news outlets reported on the brutal slaying that occurred in the downtown district late last night.

COMPLEX

The epic poem concludes with the hero's dramatic slaying of his rival, a scene that scholars interpret as the symbolic triumph of order over primordial chaos.

Usage

Often appears in the construction 'the slaying of' followed by the victim.

Second-degree murder applies to unlawful slayings with malice or extreme recklessness that weren’t previously planned.

Toronto Sun· 31 Aug 2026

In 2022, he was convicted by a jury of two counts of second-degree murder in the slayings of Smart and Modekwe and the aggravated assault of a female bystander hit in the leg.

Toronto Sun· 19 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Frequent
Updated