sacrifice

1 of 2

noun

sac·​ri·​fice ˈsa-krə-ˌfīs 

 also  -fəs,

 or  -ˌfīz

1

: an act of offering to a deity something precious

especially : the killing of a victim on an altar

2

: something offered in sacrifice

3

a

: destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else

b

: something given up or lost

the sacrifices made by parents

4

: loss

goods sold at a sacrifice

5

: sacrifice bunt

sacrifice

2 of 2

verb

sacrificed; sacrificing

transitive verb

1

: to offer as a sacrifice

2

: to suffer loss of, give up, renounce, injure, or destroy especially for an ideal, belief, or end

3

: to sell at a loss

4

: to advance (a base runner) by means of a sacrifice bunt

5

: to kill (an animal) as part of a scientific experiment

intransitive verb

1

: to make or perform the rites of a sacrifice

2

: to make a sacrifice hit in baseball

sacrificer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• immolation
• offering
• victim

Verb

• immolate
• offer

Examples of sacrifice in a Sentence

Noun

The war required everyone to make sacrifices.

No sacrifice is too great when it comes to her children.

He made many personal sacrifices to provide help to the city's homeless people.

The war required much sacrifice from everyone.

a place where priests performed human sacrifices in ancient rituals

The villagers hoped the gods would accept their sacrifice.

The goat was offered as a sacrifice.

The runner went to second base on a sacrifice.

Verb

She's had to sacrifice a lot for her family.

He sacrificed his personal life in order to get ahead in his career.

I want to follow a diet that is healthful without sacrificing taste.

She was able to ask for their help without sacrificing her dignity.

She was willing to suffer, sacrifice, and work for success.

a place where people were sacrificed in ancient rituals

He sacrificed in his first at bat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On her podcast, Rose shared her intention to provide insight into the realities of being a wrestler for WWE, pointing to the sacrifices required that come along with the job. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025

Their loyalty goes beyond airport pick-ups or wingman sacrifices. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025

Verb

As consumers demand healthier, functional beverages without sacrificing flavor, legacy brands are being forced to adapt and take the health and wellness movement seriously. —Clara Ludmir, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

The Parisian footwear brand — now celebrating its 20th year — is known for transparency, fair trade and eco-conscious shoes without sacrificing style. —Romany Williams, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin sacrificium, from sacr-, sacer + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing sacrifice

• give/sacrifice one's life
• make the final/supreme/ultimate sacrifice
• sacrifice bunt
• sacrifice fly
• sacrifice hit
• sacrifice one's life
• self-sacrifice

Rhymes for sacrifice

• imprecise
• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis

Kids Definition

sacrifice

1 of 2 noun

sac·​ri·​fice ˈsak-rə-ˌfīs 

-fəs

1

: an act of offering something precious to God or a god

especially : the killing of a victim on an altar

2

: something offered in sacrifice

3

: a giving up of something especially for the sake of someone else

also : something so given up

4

: loss of profit

sell goods at a sacrifice

sacrifice

2 of 2 verb

sac·​ri·​fice

ˈsak-rə-ˌfīs,

-ˌfīz

sacrificed; sacrificing

1

: to offer or perform as a sacrifice

2

: to give up for the sake of something else

3

: to sell at a loss

4

: to make a sacrifice hit

sacrificer noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sacrifice "the act of offering something to God or a god," from early French sacrifice (same meaning), from Latin sacrificium "sacrifice," from sacr-, sacer "sacred" and -ficium, from facere "to do, make" — related to sacred