noun
assassination
uh-sas-ih-NAY-shuhn
noun
1
The killing of someone, usually a prominent or public figure, carried out deliberately and often for political motives.
"The assassination of the senator shocked the entire country."
"Historians still debate what triggered the assassination."
How to Use Assassination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe deliberate killing of someone important, usually for political or ideological reasons.
Common mistake
Reserve "assassination" for targeted killings of notable figures (politicians, leaders) — an ordinary murder is not usually called an assassination.
Common pairings
political assassination
attempted assassination
assassination plot
Word Forms
assassinations plural
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Etymology
From "assassinate" plus the suffix "-ion", ultimately from the Arabic term for hashish-users, via medieval tales of killers said to be drugged before their attacks.