femicide

American  

[fem-uh-sahyd] / ˈfɛm əˌsaɪd /

noun

1. the act of killing a woman, as by a domestic partner or a member of a criminal enterprise.

   The rate of femicide where there is drug trafficking is far greater than it is elsewhere.

2. the deliberate, wanton violation and massacre of women and girls, as in a particular ethnic group by an invading army.

3. a person who kills a woman.

   In certain countries, femicides appear to act with impunity.

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Etymology

Origin of femicide

First recorded in 1820–30; feme + -i- + -cide

Example Sentences

They also want the offence of "femicide" to be brought into the penal code.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Deputies in the Italian parliament have voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide – the murder of a woman, motivated by gender – as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

"I want this to carry on and be a platform against violence for women and girls. It'll be used to help other organisations, femicide awareness and things like that."

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2025

She acknowledged that her often “desperately sad” project took an emotional toll on her “as it would anyone really” but said she was driven by wanting to “change the narrative” around femicide.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2024

Among the issues that Mexican women face are femicide, or women killed because of their gender, a gender employment gap and inadequate policies guaranteeing sexual and reproductive rights.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2024