slaughter
noun
the killing or butchering of cattle, sheep, etc., especially for food.
have been slaughtering
-
present perfect progressiveof slaughter.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
One says his business uses donkeys for deliveries, and, "We fear that the same people who have been slaughtering our donkeys could turn to stealing them, as there is a ready market."
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2014
Wolves have been slaughtering vast numbers of sheep here — at least 20,000 in just the past five years, according to an official count.
From New York Times ● Sep. 4, 2013
Drought-stricken farmers have been slaughtering an unusually large number of pigs this summer to cut costs.
From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2012
Meat producers, for instance, have been slaughtering herds early to cut food expenses, Mr. Gordon says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2012
