Kristallnacht

[ krees-tahl-nahkht ]

noun

1. a Nazi pogrom throughout Germany and Austria on the night of November 9–10, 1938, during which Jews were killed and their property destroyed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kristallnacht¹

< German Kristall crystal + Nacht night

Example Sentences

These events coincided with the anniversary of the Nazi pogroms on Jews in 1938, also known as Kristallnacht.

From BBC

For many, it was especially shocking coming on the eve of commemorations marking Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogroms against German Jews.

From BBC

The outcry was exacerbated by the attacks occurring on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht - Nazi pogroms against German Jews that took place in 1938.

From BBC

The Gaza death toll adds up to more than one Kristallnacht per day — for upwards of 333 days and counting, with no end in sight.

From Salon

Riefenstahl’s hopes of ginning up American interest in her movie are dashed by Kristallnacht, the horrific pogrom that occurred in November 1938.

From Los Angeles Times