butchering

plural butcherings

1. The act by which someone or something is butchered.
   1. countableuncountableDismemberment of animals as food.

      (coordinate in precise usage referring to animal carcasses)

      1 more example

      Great crowds turned out to watch the carcass portioned out. The butchering itself was rough and inexpert, conducted rapidly with a serrated knife on the side of the road.

      2026 April 21, Cal Flyn, “On the trail with the hunters who believe shooting big game can save Africa’s wildlife”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 22 Apr 2026

      Synonyms: butchery

   2. countableuncountableDismemberment of humans as manslaughter or murder.

      Synonyms: butchery

   3. broadlycountableuncountableKilling, especially of a human being, regardless of whether any dismemberment is involved.

      Synonyms: butchery

   4. countablefigurativelyuncountableBotching; a botched job.

      Synonyms: butchery

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of butcher