carnage

American  

[kahr-nij] / ˈkɑr nɪdʒ /

noun

1. the slaughter of a great number of people, as in battle; butchery; massacre.

2. fighting or other violence.

   brutal carnage on the football field.

3. great damage, utter defeat, or chaos.

   We are charting a way forward after the Election Day carnage.

4. Archaic. dead bodies, as of those slain in battle.

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carnage British  

/ ˈkɑːnɪdʒ /

noun

1. extensive slaughter, esp of human beings in battle

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Etymology

Origin of carnage

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French, from Italian carnaggio, from Medieval Latin carnāticum “payment or offering in meat,” equivalent to Latin carn- (stem of carō ) “flesh” + -āticum noun sufffix; -age

Example Sentences

Throughout Saturday, many passengers shared their ordeals with the BBC, with some calling the situation "carnage".

From BBC

Registration and taxes on gun sales and ownership, with the revenue paying for the carnage.

From Washington Post

People ran from the carnage, diving behind parked cars and scrambling into nearby bars and clubs, piling on top of one another as they huddled on the floor.

From Washington Post

Shooters have attacked in places like stores, theaters and workplaces, but it is in schools and colleges where the carnage reverberates perhaps most keenly.

From Seattle Times

“Burying your head in the sand and hoping the carnage stops isn’t going to work.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• bloodshed
• butchery
• crime
• havoc
• killing
• mass murder
• slaughter
• slaying
• warfare