[
US
/ˈsækɹəˌfaɪs/
]
[ UK /sˈækɹɪfˌaɪs/ ]
[ UK /sˈækɹɪfˌaɪs/ ]
NOUN
-
a loss entailed by giving up or selling something at less than its value
he had to sell his car at a considerable sacrifice - (baseball) an out that advances the base runners
- personnel that are sacrificed (e.g., surrendered or lost in order to gain an objective)
- the act of killing (an animal or person) in order to propitiate a deity
- the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
VERB
-
endure the loss of
I gave two sons to the war
He gave his life for his children - sell at a loss
-
kill or destroy
The animals were sacrificed after the experiment
The general had to sacrifice several soldiers to save the regiment - make a sacrifice of; in religious rituals
How To Use sacrifice In A Sentence
- His parents made a lot of sacrifices to make sure he got a good education.
- In meetings Thursday with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, the country's army chief and others, Gates called the antiterror operations a success so far, "and he acknowledged to all of them that we realize that has come with a great deal of sacrifice for the military," Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said following the sessions. Stars and Stripes
- Ravel sacrificed something for form, for a vegetable that people must digest before bed.
- Love for others, concern for justice and the poor are not so much a question of social morals as the expression of a sacramental conception of Christian morality because, through priestly ministry, the spiritual sacrifice of all the faithful is accomplished, in union with the sacrifice of Christ, the only mediator. Pope on the Essential Elements of Priestly Ministry
- He can try to save those countless millions but only by the sacrifice of his ship and crew.
- A hard-nosed unmoveable man, who sacrifices his lovely daughter to ward off future kidnap threats on his beloved son.
- Some pro-ana websites feature anorexia prayers and sacrifice rituals.
- She sacrificed family life to her career.
- For many the sacrifice of British sovereign power was too great a price to pay. Times, Sunday Times
- Surely, no flame of piety, idealism, or self-sacrifice could burn in the cold hearts of its citizens.