Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
the Holocaust
Noun
holoˈkɔstəst
Definition
The Holocaust refers to the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators during World War II.
Examples
- The Holocaust was one of the darkest periods in human history.
- Many survivors of the Holocaust have shared their stories to educate future generations.
Meaning
The term ‘Holocaust’ is derived from the Greek word ‘holokauston,’ meaning ‘sacrifice by fire.’ It is used to describe the extensive atrocities committed against the Jewish people, along with other groups, such as the Romani people and disabled individuals, during the 1930s and 1940s.
Synonyms
- The Shoah
- The Final Solution
