What does sacrifice mean?
Sacrifice describes the deliberate surrender of something valuable for a purpose regarded as more important. It may refer to a personal sacrifice, such as giving up time, money, comfort, or an opportunity; to a religious offering made to a deity; to a person or object given up for others; or, in baseball, to a strategic attempt to advance a runner at the cost of an out. The word often implies conscious choice and moral significance, so a “great sacrifice” is generally something costly that benefits another person or a larger cause. By contrast, the everyday verb use is broader and may simply mean to give up something useful or valuable. In phrases such as “make a sacrifice,” “self-sacrifice,” and “the ultimate sacrifice,” sacrifice emphasizes the tension between personal loss and wider benefit. Its religious and historical associations make it more formal than words such as “give up,” while its athletic use is technical and neutral.
An act in which something valuable is given up for a greater purpose; also the person or thing surrendered or offered.
"The crew made considerable sacrifices to complete the expedition."
The noun can refer to the act, the thing given up, or a person offered for a cause. In religious contexts, it may denote an offering to a deity.
To give up or surrender something valuable, especially for a person, cause, or outcome regarded as more important.
"He sacrificed his former career to care for his parents."
In baseball, the verb describes a deliberate play intended to advance a runner while allowing the batter to be put out.
The plural is used for multiple acts of giving up, things surrendered, or people or objects offered.
"Her many sacrifices for the community earned her widespread respect."
Sacrifice literally means “to make sacred,” linking an ancient religious offering with the modern idea of giving up something precious.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sacrifice come from?
The word entered Middle English from Old French sacrifice, ultimately from Latin sacrificium. That Latin noun was formed from sacer, meaning “sacred,” and facere, meaning “to make,” reflecting the original idea of making an offering sacred. The same Latin root produced related English words including sacred, sanctuary, sacrament, and sanctify.
Related word forms
How sacrifice is actually used
The word is common in moral, religious, military, and literary contexts. “Ultimate sacrifice” denotes death for a cause, while “self-sacrifice” describes placing others’ welfare or a principle before one’s own interests. In baseball, “sacrifice” usually appears as “sacrifice fly,” “sacrifice bunt,” or “sacrifice hit.”