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femicide

American  
[fem-uh-sahyd] / ˈfɛm əˌsaɪd /

noun

  1. the act of killing a woman, as by a domestic partner or a member of a criminal enterprise.

    The rate of femicide where there is drug trafficking is far greater than it is elsewhere.

  2. the deliberate, wanton violation and massacre of women and girls, as in a particular ethnic group by an invading army.

  3. a person who kills a woman.

    In certain countries, femicides appear to act with impunity.


Etymology

Origin of femicide

First recorded in 1820–30; feme + -i- + -cide

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Italy will now join Cyprus, Malta and Croatia as EU member states that have introduced a legal definition of femicide in their criminal codes.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Even those who approve of legislating against femicide agree that it must come with far broader measures against gender inequality.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

It makes Italy one of very few places to categorise femicide as a distinct crime.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

She was part of an expert commission that examined 211 recent murders of women for common characteristics, then drafted the femicide law.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Among the issues that Mexican women face are femicide, or women killed because of their gender, a gender employment gap and inadequate policies guaranteeing sexual and reproductive rights.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2024