noun
Etymology
Origin of bloodshed
Explanation
Use the word bloodshed to mean people being killed or wounded, especially during a war. A strong dislike of bloodshed might keep a person from joining the military. You can use the noun bloodshed to talk about any kind of violence: "My mom never let me play those video games when I was growing up, because of all the bloodshed." It's most commonly used to refer to the major side effect of war, the death and injury of many humans. Bloodshed dates from the 1500s, meaning "the shedding of one's blood" or "slaughter."
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.
What he didn’t mention: Most territorial expansion in the age of empires was achieved through bloodshed, not purchase.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026
In Tehran, where symbolically the costs are greatest, security forces appear to be exercising restraint to avoid images of mass bloodshed.
From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026
I’ve known many police officers in my long career covering crime who could have de-escalated that event without bloodshed.
From Salon • Jan. 9, 2026
She said organizations like hers — which use diplomacy to quash street beefs before they spill over into bloodshed — have also become lifelines for certain neighborhoods by providing diapers, formula, and other essential supplies.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026
We of Umkhonto have always sought — as the liberation movement has sought — to achieve liberation without bloodshed and civil clash.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
