/ ˈmæsəkə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ C , U ]
1.
the killing of a large number of people especially in a cruel way :
the bloody massacre of innocent civilians
Nobody survived the massacre.
2.
( informal ) a very big defeat in a game or competition :
The game was a 10–0 massacre for our team.
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to kill a large number of people, especially in a cruel way
2.
( informal ) to defeat sb in a game or competition by a high score
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from French , of unknown origin.