Holocaust
noun
A mass destruction, especially a large-scale killing of people especially by fire or nuclear war.
The atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in a holocaust.
Often appears as...
- nuclear holocaust
- human holocaust
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
It also refers specifically to the systematic or organized killing, especially of approximately six million Jews during World War II by the Nazis.
Many survivors of the Holocaust are still alive today.
Often appears as...
- the holocaust
- holocaust survivor
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
In earlier uses, it described a sacrifice consumed by fire. This meaning is now considered archaic.
In the Old Testament, a holocaust is a type of offering burned on the altar.
Often appears as...
- biblical holocaust
- sacrificial holocaust
Usage tips
Formal
Literary, Historical
noun
A mass destruction, especially a large-scale killing of people especially by fire or nuclear war.
The atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in a holocaust.
Often appears as...
- nuclear holocaust
- human holocaust
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
It also refers specifically to the systematic or organized killing, especially of approximately six million Jews during World War II by the Nazis.
Many survivors of the Holocaust are still alive today.
Often appears as...
- the holocaust
- holocaust survivor
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
noun
In earlier uses, it described a sacrifice consumed by fire. This meaning is now considered archaic.
In the Old Testament, a holocaust is a type of offering burned on the altar.
Often appears as...
- biblical holocaust
- sacrificial holocaust
Usage tips
Formal
Literary, Historical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Disastrous Connotations
The word holocaust implies extreme devastation and is often associated with suffering and death.
The volcano's eruption was a holocaust, leaving nothing but ash.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Tone
Use 'holocaust' in serious or somber situations, as it carries weight and emotional impact.
The forest fire was a natural holocaust destroying the ecosystem.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Overuse
Using 'holocaust' for minor events can be seen as insensitive because of its historical significance.
Incorrect: Missing the party was a holocaust.
Pro Tip 1/3Disastrous Connotations
The word holocaust implies extreme devastation and is often associated with suffering and death.
The volcano's eruption was a holocaust, leaving nothing but ash.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Tone
Use 'holocaust' in serious or somber situations, as it carries weight and emotional impact.
The forest fire was a natural holocaust destroying the ecosystem.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Overuse
Using 'holocaust' for minor events can be seen as insensitive because of its historical significance.
Incorrect: Missing the party was a holocaust.
Pro Tip 1/3Disastrous Connotations
The word holocaust implies extreme devastation and is often associated with suffering and death.
The volcano's eruption was a holocaust, leaving nothing but ash.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Tone
Use 'holocaust' in serious or somber situations, as it carries weight and emotional impact.
The forest fire was a natural holocaust destroying the ecosystem.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Overuse
Using 'holocaust' for minor events can be seen as insensitive because of its historical significance.
Incorrect: Missing the party was a holocaust.
Never forget "Holocaust"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
What's wrong with what...
and the fate of all of humanity been so intertwined. There was the bomb, and there's now. And where we go from here is going to determine not only the quality and the length of our individual lives, but whether, if we could see the Earth a century from now, we'd recognize it. It's a holocaust of a different kind,
Video examples
Thomas Barnett:...
Everybody's got to answer their grandchildren some day what you did about the holocaust in Africa, and you better have an answer. We don't have anything to translate that will into action. What we do have is the U.S.-enabled Leviathan Force that says, "You want me to take that guy down? I'll take that guy down.
Video examples
The world doesn't need...
maybe a trillion dollars, to modernize them so they last throughout the 21st century, so that by the time Jasmine is my age, she's talking to her children and maybe even her grandchildren about the threat of nuclear holocaust? And if you're paying any attention at all to cyberthreats,
Video examples
A Reckoning in Tulsa PIPE...
you think about massacre survivors like we think about world war ii veterans like holocaust survivors people who are very reluctant to talk about what they had experienced and and many survivors in the african-american community didn't want to burden their children and grandchildren
Video examples
Why should you read...
This darkness is echoed throughout the collection, which includes controversial references to the holocaust and the Kamikazes. Even the relics of seemingly happier times are described as crucifying the “My husband and child smiling out of the family photo;
Video examples
Surviving a nuclear...
this chapter one there was a high level of public awareness of out the potential of nuclear catastrophe and an indelible image was implanted in our collective minds that in fact nuclear holocaust would be absolutely globally destructive and could in some
Video examples
The Triumph and Tragedy...
white who had just covered world war ii and the holocaust likened the streets of india to the gates of the buchenwald concentration camp that tragedy of partition and its rumbling aftershocks echo through the collective memory of india pakistan and
Video examples
A 40-year plan for...
change or see nuclear holocaust or D all of the above oh I missed one or e none of the above that's the one we're not normally offered what if we could make energy do our work without working our undoing
Video examples
The hidden history of...
largely female staff the fact that I nearly died in the Holocaust means that I'm very motivated to make sure that each day is worth living that my life was worth saving
Video examples
Amory Lovins: A 40-year...
America's public energy conversation boils down to this Would you rather die of A) oil wars, or B) climate change, or C) nuclear holocaust,
Video examples
What's wrong with what...
and the fate of all of humanity been so intertwined. There was the bomb, and there's now. And where we go from here is going to determine not only the quality and the length of our individual lives, but whether, if we could see the Earth a century from now, we'd recognize it. It's a holocaust of a different kind,
Video examples
Thomas Barnett:...
Everybody's got to answer their grandchildren some day what you did about the holocaust in Africa, and you better have an answer. We don't have anything to translate that will into action. What we do have is the U.S.-enabled Leviathan Force that says, "You want me to take that guy down? I'll take that guy down.
Video examples
The world doesn't need...
maybe a trillion dollars, to modernize them so they last throughout the 21st century, so that by the time Jasmine is my age, she's talking to her children and maybe even her grandchildren about the threat of nuclear holocaust? And if you're paying any attention at all to cyberthreats,
Video examples
A Reckoning in Tulsa PIPE...
you think about massacre survivors like we think about world war ii veterans like holocaust survivors people who are very reluctant to talk about what they had experienced and and many survivors in the african-american community didn't want to burden their children and grandchildren
Video examples
Why should you read...
This darkness is echoed throughout the collection, which includes controversial references to the holocaust and the Kamikazes. Even the relics of seemingly happier times are described as crucifying the “My husband and child smiling out of the family photo;
Video examples
Surviving a nuclear...
this chapter one there was a high level of public awareness of out the potential of nuclear catastrophe and an indelible image was implanted in our collective minds that in fact nuclear holocaust would be absolutely globally destructive and could in some
Video examples
The Triumph and Tragedy...
white who had just covered world war ii and the holocaust likened the streets of india to the gates of the buchenwald concentration camp that tragedy of partition and its rumbling aftershocks echo through the collective memory of india pakistan and
Video examples
A 40-year plan for...
change or see nuclear holocaust or D all of the above oh I missed one or e none of the above that's the one we're not normally offered what if we could make energy do our work without working our undoing
Video examples
The hidden history of...
largely female staff the fact that I nearly died in the Holocaust means that I'm very motivated to make sure that each day is worth living that my life was worth saving
Video examples
Amory Lovins: A 40-year...
America's public energy conversation boils down to this Would you rather die of A) oil wars, or B) climate change, or C) nuclear holocaust,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Norman Finkelstein
American Educator
My original interest in the Nazi holocaust was personal. Both my father and mother were survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Nazi concentration camps. Apart from my parents, every family member on both sides was exterminated by the Nazis.
Quote examples
Michael McCaul
American Politician
The President of Iran has called for the destruction of Israel and the West and has even denied the holocaust took place. Iran and its terrorist arm Hezbollah are responsible for the current conflicts between Israel and Lebanon.
Quote examples
Tara Westover
American Historian
During my first semester of college, I raised my hand in a class and asked the professor to define a word I didn't know. The word was holocaust, and I had to ask because, until that moment, I had never heard of it.
Quote examples
Joel Grey
American Actor
There's a lot going on in the world that's very disturbing: rewriting the Holocaust; pseudo-historians rewriting history itself. And we're dealing with a terrorist mentality that involves whole nations.
Quote examples
Park Yeon-mi
North Korean Activist
There is a holocaust going on in my country, the world needs to acknowledge that and do something to help the people of North Korea.
Quote examples
Adam Green
American Director
Hollywood would make a holocaust an animated comedy if people would pay to see it; they don't care... they just want your money.
Quote examples
Norma McCorvey
American Celebrity
The holocaust against the unborn is the greatest sin they could ever do or even ever participate in.
Quote examples
Grimes
Canadian Musician
By the time I'm 50, there is probably going to be a nuclear holocaust. I should just enjoy myself.
Quote examples
Masha Gessen
Russian Journalist
I have a little hope that the nuclear holocaust doesn't happen.
Quote examples
Taylor Hanson
American Musician
Nuclear holocaust might eliminate the Internet.
Quote examples
Norman Finkelstein
American Educator
My original interest in the Nazi holocaust was personal. Both my father and mother were survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Nazi concentration camps. Apart from my parents, every family member on both sides was exterminated by the Nazis.
Quote examples
Michael McCaul
American Politician
The President of Iran has called for the destruction of Israel and the West and has even denied the holocaust took place. Iran and its terrorist arm Hezbollah are responsible for the current conflicts between Israel and Lebanon.
Quote examples
Tara Westover
American Historian
During my first semester of college, I raised my hand in a class and asked the professor to define a word I didn't know. The word was holocaust, and I had to ask because, until that moment, I had never heard of it.
Quote examples
Joel Grey
American Actor
There's a lot going on in the world that's very disturbing: rewriting the Holocaust; pseudo-historians rewriting history itself. And we're dealing with a terrorist mentality that involves whole nations.
Quote examples
Park Yeon-mi
North Korean Activist
There is a holocaust going on in my country, the world needs to acknowledge that and do something to help the people of North Korea.
Quote examples
Adam Green
American Director
Hollywood would make a holocaust an animated comedy if people would pay to see it; they don't care... they just want your money.
Quote examples
Norma McCorvey
American Celebrity
The holocaust against the unborn is the greatest sin they could ever do or even ever participate in.
Quote examples
Grimes
Canadian Musician
By the time I'm 50, there is probably going to be a nuclear holocaust. I should just enjoy myself.
Quote examples
Masha Gessen
Russian Journalist
I have a little hope that the nuclear holocaust doesn't happen.
Quote examples
Taylor Hanson
American Musician
Nuclear holocaust might eliminate the Internet.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension