holocaust
HOL-uh-kawst
Holocaust (name) means (historical, capitalised) The mass murder of around six million European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II. Example: “The museum preserves the testimony of Holocaust survivors.”
name
1
(historical, capitalised) The mass murder of around six million European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II.
"Among Soloway’s congregants injured in the attack was Barbara Steinmetz, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor who has become one of the most poignant symbols of the attack."
— Grace Gilson, Boulder’s ‘shocked and traumatized’ Jewish community takes stock of losses and strengths (2025)
"The museum preserves the testimony of Holocaust survivors."
noun
1
Widespread destruction or slaughter, especially on a massive scale.
"None will emerge the victor from this holocaust."
— Talbot Jennings, Jan Lustig (1953)
"Historians describe some famines as a slow-moving holocaust."
How to use holocaust
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often refers to the Nazi genocide of Jews in World War II; occasionally used generally for mass destruction, but that broader use is far less common and should be used carefully given the word's historical weight.
Common mistake
Capitalise "Holocaust" when referring specifically to the Nazi genocide; the lowercase general sense is rare and can seem insensitive if used carelessly.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- holocausts
- Past tense
- holocausted
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The museum preserves the testimony of _____ survivors.
Etymology
From Greek holókaustos, "wholly burnt," originally referring to a sacrifice completely consumed by fire before it became the standard term for the Nazi genocide.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for holocaust
See all rhymes for holocaust →Frequently asked questions
What does “holocaust” mean?
The word “holocaust” means (historical, capitalised) The mass murder of around six million European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II. In plain terms, most often refers to the Nazi genocide of Jews in World War II; occasionally used generally for mass destruction, but that broader use is far less common and should be used carefully given the word's historical weight.
How do you pronounce “holocaust”?
“Holocaust” is pronounced HOL-uh-kawst (/ˈhɑl.əˌkɔst/ in IPA).
How do you use “holocaust” in a sentence?
Here is “holocaust” used in a sentence: “The museum preserves the testimony of Holocaust survivors.”
What is another word for “holocaust”?
Words with a similar meaning to “holocaust” include Shoah and the Nazi genocide.
What part of speech is “holocaust”?
Depending on how it is used, “holocaust” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “holocaust” come from?
The word “holocaust” comes from Greek. From Greek holókaustos, "wholly burnt," originally referring to a sacrifice completely consumed by fire before it became the standard term for the Nazi genocide.
Is “holocaust” a common word?
“Holocaust” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “holocaust” have?
“Holocaust” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (historical, capitalised) The mass murder of around six million European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II.
What is the difference between "the Holocaust" and "genocide"?
Genocide is a general term for the deliberate destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. "The Holocaust" refers specifically to one such genocide: the mass murder of around six million European Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Why is "Holocaust" capitalised?
When capitalised, "the Holocaust" names the specific historical genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany. In lower case, "holocaust" has the broader meaning of widespread destruction or slaughter on a massive scale.
What is the difference between "Holocaust" and "Shoah"?
Both terms refer to the Nazi genocide of European Jews. "Shoah," a Hebrew word meaning "catastrophe," is preferred by many people specifically for that historical event, while "holocaust" in lower case can also carry a broader, general meaning.
When is "holocaust" used in a general sense?
In lower case, "holocaust" can describe any widespread destruction or slaughter on a massive scale, as in "a nuclear holocaust." Because of its strong association with the historical genocide, this general use is applied carefully and thoughtfully.
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