slaying

noun

slay·​ing ˈslā-iŋ How to pronounce slaying (audio)
plural slayings
: the act of killing a person : killing, murder
used chiefly in journalistic writing
a gangland slaying
Sunday's slayings bring to 14 the number of killings this year in what police call gang-related attacks.Peter Stein
He is accused of ordering the 1989 slayings and robberies of three drug dealers …Joseph P. Fried

Examples of slaying in a Sentence

a man wanted for the slaying of seven people during an armed robbery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jessica Lynn Lopez is one of three people convicted in the 2012 slaying of Brittany Killgore, who prosecutors said was murdered after she was lured by one of the defendants, then abducted. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025 Glenn, 29, pleaded no contest to tampering with evidence June 4 in the June 2023 slaying of James Wilkins, 27, of Warren. Christina Hall, Freep.com, 23 July 2025 Citywide, there have been 164 murders this year through Sunday, a historic low and a 26% drop from the 222 slayings during the corresponding period last year. Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025 The trial for 21-year-old Steven Montano, who is accused in Vásquez Lasso’s slaying, began in earnest in front of a packed courtroom full of police officers and family members. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for slaying

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slaying was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Slaying.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaying. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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