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noun Uncommon

martyrdom

MAH-tuh-duhm

Martyrdom (noun) means the suffering or death endured by a martyr because of their beliefs. Example: “His martyrdom turned him into a symbol for the movement.”

noun
1
The suffering or death endured by a martyr because of their beliefs.
"His martyrdom turned him into a symbol for the movement."
"The church commemorates the martyrdom of its early saints every year."
2
Extreme, prolonged suffering of any kind, often exaggerated for effect.
"She described her commute as a daily martyrdom."

How to use martyrdom

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe state or experience of being a martyr — actual suffering for a cause, or a joking exaggeration of it.

Word forms

martyrdoms plural

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His _____ turned him into a symbol for the movement.

Etymology

From Old English martyrdom, built from "martyr" plus the suffix "-dom," which denotes a state or condition.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “martyrdom” mean?

The word “martyrdom” means the suffering or death endured by a martyr because of their beliefs. In plain terms, the state or experience of being a martyr — actual suffering for a cause, or a joking exaggeration of it.

How do you pronounce “martyrdom”?

“Martyrdom” is pronounced MAH-tuh-duhm (/ˈmɑː(ɹ).tə(ɹ).dəm/ in IPA).

How do you use “martyrdom” in a sentence?

Here is “martyrdom” used in a sentence: “His martyrdom turned him into a symbol for the movement.”

What part of speech is “martyrdom”?

“Martyrdom” is a noun.

Where does the word “martyrdom” come from?

The word “martyrdom” comes from Old English. From Old English martyrdom, built from "martyr" plus the suffix "-dom," which denotes a state or condition.

Is “martyrdom” a common word?

“Martyrdom” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “martyrdom” have?

“Martyrdom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the suffering or death endured by a martyr because of their beliefs.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial