sacrifice

The definition of a sacrifice is an offering or a giving up of something.

(noun)

An example of sacrifice is a live animal given to honor a diety.
An example of sacrifice is a parent who gives her free time to help her child with his homework.

Sacrifice is defined as to give something up or to sell something at a price which is less than its value.

(verb)

See sacrifice in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. the act of offering the life of a person or animal, or some object, in propitiation of or homage to a deity
2. something so offered
1. the act of giving up, destroying, permitting injury to, or forgoing something valued for the sake of something having a more pressing claim
2. a thing so given up, etc.
1. a selling or giving up of something at less than its supposed value
2. the loss incurred
☆ Baseball a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly

Origin: OFr < L sacrificium < sacer, sacred + facere, to make, do

to offer as a sacrifice to God or a god
to give up, destroy, permit injury to, or forgo (something valued) for the sake of something having a more pressing claim
to sell at less than the supposed value
☆ Baseball to advance (a base runner) by means of a sacrifice

intransitive verb

Related Forms:

See sacrifice in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The act of offering something to a deity in propitiation or homage, especially the ritual slaughter of an animal or a person.
b. A victim offered in this way.
a. Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
b. Something so forfeited.
a. Relinquishment of something at less than its presumed value.
b. Something so relinquished.
c. A loss so sustained.
Baseball A sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly.