Meaning & use
holocaust
Destruction or slaughter on a massive scale, especially by fire or war.
See it in a sentence
Ancient chronicles describe entire cities reduced to ash in the holocaust that followed the invasion.
Environmentalists warned the wildfires could cause an ecological holocaust across the region.
A note on using this word
Capitalized as 'the Holocaust,' the word refers specifically to Nazi Germany's genocide of six million Jews during World War II; use it carefully given this weight.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. proper noun
The genocide of six million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II.
Students visited the museum exhibit to learn about the Holocaust and its lasting impact.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “holocaust”, then compare your use with the examples above.