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Added 9 October 2026

martyrdom

/ˈmɑː(ɹ).tə(ɹ).dəm/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about martyrdom at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Death that is imposed because of the person's adherence of a religious faith or cause.
Any experience that causes intense suffering.

Origin

From Middle English martyrdome, martirdom, marterdom, from Old English martyrdōm (“martyrdom”), corresponding to martyr + -dom. Cognate with German Märtyrertum (“martyrdom”), Danish martyrdom (“martyrdom”), Swedish martyrdom (“martyrdom”), Norwegian martyrdom (“martyrdom”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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