butchery

noun

butch·​ery ˈbu̇-chə-rē How to pronounce butchery (audio)
ˈbu̇ch-
plural butcheries
1
chiefly British : slaughterhouse
2
: the preparation of meat for sale
3
: cruel and ruthless slaughter of human beings
4
: botch

Examples of butchery in a Sentence

the butchery of civilians during the war butchery on a scale that horrified the civilized world
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tate added that residents have expressed interest in utilizing animal byproducts, such as eggs, honey and even feathers for textiles, noting that animal butchery is only at licensed slaughterhouses — not at residential properties. Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024 This small neighborhood restaurant focuses on nose-to-tail butchery and farm-to-table, emphasizing minimizing waste and supporting a sustainable food system in the Great Lakes region. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 8 Nov. 2024 Running a sustainable butchery or meat alternative company can be tough for all sorts of reasons: costs are high and consumers are worn down by inflation, just to name a few. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024 Nearly 80 years ago, rats lurked in the city's docks and butcheries, bringing the potential for disease, according to an account in the New Yorker magazine. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for butchery 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of butchery was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near butchery

Cite this Entry

“Butchery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butchery. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

butchery

noun
butch·​ery ˈbu̇ch-(ə-)rē How to pronounce butchery (audio)
plural butcheries
: brutal murder : great slaughter

More from Merriam-Webster on butchery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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