English · Word Candidate

slaughter

/ˈslɔːtə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: slaughters · slaughtering

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The killing of animals, generally for food.

Noun

Sources & notes

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

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A massacre; the killing of a large number of people.

Noun

Examples

1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book VI, 1773, The First Six Books of Milton's Paradise Lost, Edinburgh, page 416, For ſin, on war and mutual ſlaughter bent.

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 butcher animals, generally for food.

Verb

Sources & notes

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

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To massacre people in large numbers.

Verb

Examples

Hurriedly he snatched up others, one or two at a time, until he had slaughtered thirty of Hrothgar's doughtiest earls.

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 “slaughter” mean?

The killing of animals, generally for food.

Is “slaughter” formal or informal?

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