noun

infanticide

in-FAN-tuh-syd

Quiz me More like this

Infanticide (noun) means the killing of a baby or very young child, especially by a parent. Example: “The documentary examined cases of infanticide across different historical periods.”

noun

The killing of a baby or very young child, especially by a parent.

"The documentary examined cases of infanticide across different historical periods."

"Poverty and desperation have been cited as factors behind acts of infanticide."

legal In Canadian law, the offence of a mother killing her newborn baby while suffering psychological disturbance from childbirth or lactation, treated as less serious than murder.

"Under Canadian law, infanticide carries a lighter sentence than murder because of the mother's mental state at the time."

"The defence argued the case should be treated as infanticide rather than murder."

technical In zoology, the killing of a young animal by an adult of the same species.

"Infanticide has been observed in several primate species when a new male takes over a group."

"Researchers linked the infanticide to competition for mates within the colony."

How to use infanticide

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishInfanticide means killing a baby, whether by a person or, in zoology, by an animal.

When to use it

This is a formal, often legal or academic word rather than everyday language.

Memory tip

Break it down as infant plus -cide, the same ending found in homicide and suicide.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

filicide genocide →

Common pairings

commit infanticide cases of infanticide charged with infanticide

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like infanticide.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “infanticide” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The documentary examined cases of _____ across different historical periods.

Etymology

Infanticide comes from French infanticide, which goes back to a Latin word for the killing of an infant. It is built from infant plus a linking element and the ending -cide, meaning killing.

Origin: French

Synonyms

View more →

filicide

Rhymes for infanticide

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide elide amide abide slide

See all rhymes for infanticide →

Frequently asked questions

What does infanticide mean?

It means the killing of a baby or very young child, most often used when the killer is a parent.

Is infanticide treated differently from murder in law?

In some places, such as Canada, infanticide is a distinct, lesser offence when a mother kills her newborn while psychologically disturbed by childbirth or lactation.

Does infanticide only apply to humans?

No. In zoology, the term is also used when an adult animal kills a young member of its own species.

What is the meaning of infanticide?

"infanticide" (noun) means the killing of a baby or very young child, especially by a parent.