English · Word Candidate

genocide

/ˈd͡ʒɛnəsaɪd/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: genocides · genociding · genocided

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The systematic and deliberate destruction of a group of people; typically by killing substantial numbers of them, on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, nationality, or similar grounds.

Noun

Examples

A genocide will always be followed by the denial that it ever happened.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The systematic suppression of ideas or practices on the basis of cultural or ethnic origin; culturicide.

Noun

Examples

linguistic genocide

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To commit genocide (against); to eliminate (a group of people) completely.

Verb

Examples

Even though the Soviet constitution and that of the Ukrainian SSR contain provisions guaranteeing freedom of religion and other fundamental liberties, the Soviet government genocided the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in the 1930's […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “genocide” mean?

The systematic and deliberate destruction of a group of people; typically by killing substantial numbers of them, on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, nationality, or similar grounds.

Is “genocide” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.