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Genocide

JEN-uh-syd /ˈdʒɛnəsaɪd/

nounC2GRETOEFLIELTS

formallegalacademicjournalistic

The deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group, in whole or in part.

Genocide is distinguished by its specific intent ('dolus specialis') to destroy a protected group. It's not just mass killing, but mass killing with this specific destructive intent, making it one of the gravest international crimes.

The story behind the word. The word 'genocide' is a relatively modern term, coined in 1944 by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin. He combined the Greek word genos (meaning 'race' or 'tribe') with the Latin suffix -cide (from caedere, meaning 'to kill'). Lemkin created this term to describe the systematic destruction of national, ethnic, racial, or religious groups, a crime that previously lacked a specific name in international law.

Word relationships

ethnic cleansing: Often involves similar acts but is a broader, non-legal term that may not always meet the strict legal definition of genocide's intent to destroy.
mass extermination: Descriptive of the act, but lacks the specific legal intent element of 'genocide'.

Commonly confused with

massacre: A 'massacre' is a brutal killing of many people; 'genocide' is a systematic, intentional destruction of a group.
war crime: Genocide is a specific crime, often considered a type of war crime or crime against humanity, but distinct due to its specific intent to destroy a group.

Word family

genocidal (adjective): relating to or involving genocide.

Collocations

commit genocide
prevent genocide
act of genocide
risk of genocide

Example sentences

"The systematic extermination of six million Jews during World War II is the most infamous example of `Genocide`." The Holocaust is a historical example of this horrific crime.
"The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda prosecuted individuals for their role in the 1994 `Genocide` against the Tutsi." International courts are established to prosecute those responsible for such crimes. (Historical Record)
"Raphael Lemkin coined the term `Genocide` in 1944 to describe the systematic destruction of national and ethnic groups." The term was coined to describe atrocities that previously lacked a specific legal name. (Raphael Lemkin)

Memory hook

GENO-cide: Killing a 'GENO' (group/race) to 'cide' (kill) them. Group killing intent

When not to use

Do not use 'genocide' to describe any large-scale killing or disaster. It has a very specific legal definition related to the intent to destroy a group.

Fun facts

The United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted in 1948, largely due to Raphael Lemkin's tireless efforts.
The 'intent to destroy' a group is the most challenging element to prove in genocide cases, as it requires demonstrating the perpetrator's specific state of mind.

Explore more words

atrocity, arson, malice, terrorism, malicious, heinous