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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.

They also want the offence of "femicide" to be brought into the penal code.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

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

Deputies in the Italian parliament have voted unanimously to introduce the crime of femicide – the murder of a woman, motivated by gender – as a distinct law to be punished with a life sentence.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

There is no agreed worldwide definition of femicide, which makes it hard to count and compare statistics.

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