holocaust
noun
ho·lo·caust ˈhō-lə-ˌkȯst 
ˈhä-,
also -ˌkäst,
or ˈhȯ-lə-kȯst
1
: a sacrifice (see sacrifice entry 1 sense 2) consumed by fire
2
: a thorough destruction involving extensive loss of life especially through fire
a nuclear holocaust
3
a
usually the Holocaust : the mass slaughter of European civilians and especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II
Several members of her family died in the Holocaust.
a Holocaust survivor
b
: a mass slaughter of people
especially : genocide
a holocaust in Rwanda
Synonyms
- conflagration
- fire
- inferno
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The museum is devoted to the Holocaust. There were fears of a nuclear holocaust.
Recent Examples on the Web The Fourth Star vows that African Americans will never forget the holocaust of the Middle passage and the millions of Africans who suffered and died during the terrible crossing. 
Essence, 11 Aug. 2022 After witnessing the nuclear holocaust on November 25, 1963, Five is transported by Hazel to November 15, giving him time to stop the world from ending again. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2022 This isn’t the first time Binance has accidentally alluded to the holocaust during one of its marketing campaigns. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 But, to most of the Western world, the symbol is more closely associated with Nazism and the holocaust. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 Nazi obliteration of Jews during World War II is our most common example of a holocaust, but Cameron felt strongly about using the word to describe the plight and injustices of his race, too. Mary Bergin, chicagotribune.com, 16 Feb. 2022 Biden is not going to listen to Pat Robertson egging him on, but there’s something really perverse about hoping for nuclear holocaust. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2022 Davis says the founder was asked to drop holocaust from the museum name, or move the museum to a different city, but Cameron refused. Mary Bergin, chicagotribune.com, 16 Feb. 2022 It was followed by a secret and emotional ramble from Khrushchev about the spectre of nuclear holocaust. Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2022 See More
Essence, 11 Aug. 2022 After witnessing the nuclear holocaust on November 25, 1963, Five is transported by Hazel to November 15, giving him time to stop the world from ending again. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 June 2022 This isn’t the first time Binance has accidentally alluded to the holocaust during one of its marketing campaigns. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 But, to most of the Western world, the symbol is more closely associated with Nazism and the holocaust. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 Nazi obliteration of Jews during World War II is our most common example of a holocaust, but Cameron felt strongly about using the word to describe the plight and injustices of his race, too. Mary Bergin, chicagotribune.com, 16 Feb. 2022 Biden is not going to listen to Pat Robertson egging him on, but there’s something really perverse about hoping for nuclear holocaust. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2022 Davis says the founder was asked to drop holocaust from the museum name, or move the museum to a different city, but Cameron refused. Mary Bergin, chicagotribune.com, 16 Feb. 2022 It was followed by a secret and emotional ramble from Khrushchev about the spectre of nuclear holocaust. Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Late Latin holocaustum, from Greek holokauston, from neuter of holokaustos burnt whole, from hol- + kaustos burnt, from kaiein to burn — more at caustic
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
holocaust
noun
ho·lo·caust ˈhä-lə-ˌkȯst
ˈhō-lə-
1
: a complete destruction especially by fire
2
often capitalized : the killing of civilians and especially Jews by the Nazis during World War II
holocaust
noun
1
as in inferno
a destructive burning the holocaust caused by the ignited chemicals completely destroyed the factory and several surrounding homes Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- inferno
- fire
- conflagration
- wildfire
- bonfire
- blaze
- campfire
- forest fire
- brush fire
- arson
- backfire
- flare-up
2
as in massacre
the killing of a large number of people as many as 2,000,000 people may have perished in the holocaust perpetrated by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge Synonyms & Similar Words
- massacre
- slaughter
- genocide
- carnage
- death
- murder
- bloodbath
- butchery
- extermination
- killing
- bloodshed
- annihilation
- mortality
- destruction
- devastation
- manslaughter
- homicide
- slaying
- pogrom
- assassination
- bloodletting
- execution
- eradication
- decimation
- foul play
- demolishing