holocaust

[ hol-uh-kawst, hoh-luh- ]

noun

1. a great or complete devastation or destruction, especially by fire.

   Synonyms: ravage, havoc, ruin, conflagration, inferno

2. a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering.
3. Usually the Holocaust. the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.
4. any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life.

holocaust

/ ˈhɒləˌkɔːst /

noun

1. great destruction or loss of life or the source of such destruction, esp fire
2. Also calledthe Churbanthe Shoah usually capital the mass murder of Jews and members of many other ethnic, social, and political groups in continental Europe between 1940 and 1945 by the Nazi regime
3. a rare word for burnt offering

Holocaust

1. The killing of some six million Jews (see also Jews ) by the Nazis during World War II . To the Nazis, the Holocaust was the “ Final Solution ” to the “Jewish problem,” and would help them establish a pure German master race . Much of the killing took place in concentration camps , such as Auschwitz and Dachau . ( See Adolf Eichmann and Heinrich Himmler .)

Derived Forms

• ˌholoˈcaustal, adjective

Other Words From

• hol·o·caus·tal adjective
• hol·o·caus·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of holocaust¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Late Latin holocaustum (Vulgate), from Greek holókauston (Septuagint), neuter of holókaustos “burnt whole”; holo-, caustic

Word History and Origins

Origin of holocaust¹

C13: from Late Latin holocaustum whole burnt offering, from Greek holokauston, from holo- + kaustos, from kaiein to burn

Example Sentences

State officials at the time referred to Palm Springs’ actions as a “city-engineered holocaust,” but did not find the city criminally liable.

From Los Angeles Times

The killing of around 1,200 Israelis, the hostage-taking and the celebrations of their enemies recalled for many Israelis the Nazi holocaust.

From BBC

But either way, the matches keep being lit for a global holocaust.

From Salon

And it will only get worse, as Frank and other biologists have argued about a "biological holocaust," unless we take action to protect wildlife, including bats.

From Salon

West compared the holocaust to abortion in a portion of the interview, discussing an offer to visit the Holocaust Museum in the wake of backlash over his hateful remarks.

From Salon

Related Words

• immolation
• inferno