holocaust

/ˈhɑləkɔst/
noun
  1. A great or complete destruction of life, especially by fire; a disaster that causes widespread death and destruction.
    • Historians study the nuclear holocaust that ended the war.
    • The wildfire became a holocaust, consuming thousands of acres and many homes.
    • The earthquake was a holocaust that leveled the entire city.
  2. The systematic killing of millions of Jews and other groups by the Nazis during World War II (usually capitalized: the Holocaust).
    • Museums around the world teach about the Holocaust to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
    • The Holocaust is one of the darkest chapters in human history.
    • Many survivors of the Holocaust shared their stories to educate future generations.