Definition of "massacre" in English

noun

1. The killing of a considerable number (usually limited to people) where little or no resistance can be made, with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and/or contrary to civilized norms.

   • St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
   • St. Valentine's Day Massacre
   • Amritsar Massacre

2. (obsolete) Murder.

3. (figuratively) Any overwhelming defeat, as in a game or sport.

verb

1. (transitive) To kill in considerable numbers where little or no resistance can be made, with indiscriminate violence, without necessity, and contrary to civilized norms. (Often limited to the killing of human beings.)

2. (transitive, figuratively) To win against (an opponent) very decisively.

3. (transitive, figuratively) To perform (a work, such as a musical piece or a play) very poorly.

4. (transitive, proscribed) To kill with great force or brutality.

   • Look how they massacred my boy.