- the killing of an animal or animals for food; butchering
- the killing of a human being, esp. in a brutal manner
- the killing of people in large numbers, as in battle
- Informal a complete defeat or victory
Origin of slaughter
Middle English slahter from Old Norse sl?tr, literally , slain flesh, contr. from slattr, akin to Old English sleaht, slaughter, death: for Indo-European base see slay- to kill (an animal or animals) for food; butcher
- to kill (people), esp. brutally or in large numbers
- Informal to conquer or defeat completely