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 notesIn plain EnglishThe state or experience of being a martyr — actual suffering for a cause, or a joking exaggeration of it.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like martyrdom.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- martyrdoms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →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.
