German word

Holocaust

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhoːlokaʊ̯st/

Meaning

  • masculine nounHolocaust

Example

Wir haben über den Holocaust gesprochen.

We talked about the Holocaust.

Illustration for Holocaust (Holocaust)

More examples

Zum Gedenken an den Holocaust findet jedes Jahr eine Zeremonie statt.

Every year, a ceremony is held to commemorate the Holocaust.

Core concept

A state-run machinery of paperwork, deportation, camps, forced labor, and mass murder directed against Jewish communities across Europe.

Common phrases

  • Zeugen des Holocaust

    witnesses of the Holocaust

  • Gedenken an den Holocaust

    commemoration of the Holocaust

Similar words

Shoah: A Hebrew-derived name for the Holocaust, often used in memorial and academic contexts.
Völkermord: The intentional annihilation of an ethnic, national, or racial group.
Vernichtungslager: A camp created specifically to carry out large-scale mass murder.
Massenmord: The murder of many people, whether in one event or through one campaign.

Definition in German

Der Holocaust bezeichnet den industriell und bürokratisch organisierten Völkermord an den europäischen Juden durch das nationalsozialistische Regime im Zweiten Weltkrieg.

Word origin

The German word comes through English from Greek holokauston, meaning a completely burnt offering, and acquired its modern historical sense in the twentieth century.

Usage tips

  • German uses the masculine article der: der Holocaust, with the accusative form den after über in über den Holocaust sprechen.

Related words

  • HolocaustforschungHolocaust researchnoun
  • Holocaust-GedenkstätteHolocaust memorial sitenoun

Word lists with this word