rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysacrificeGiving up something valued
noun / verb

sacrifice

SAK-rih-fyse/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/

The relinquishing of something valued for a purpose.

The donor sacrifices the warmth of a coat to help the shivering person.

Adult gives up own warm coat to a shivering person at bus stop, donor remains in light sweater in cold breeze; visibly valuable comfort surrendered to help another.
Etymology
sacriLatinsacred
+ficeLatinto make; to do

Literally a “making sacred,” sacrifice originally meant an offering to a deity. The meaning broadened from surrendering something in worship to giving up something valuable for another person or a higher purpose.

In context

Jordan B Peterson47:06
is the ultimate sacrifice and while you can give up something that you own you can give up something that you love you can die for something
Writer of Braveheart | Randall Wallace | EP 166

More examples

  • She makes financial sacrifices to keep her business open.
  • Giving up our vacation is a sacrifice we make to pay tuition.
  • We can lower costs without sacrificing quality.

Forms

sacrifice · sacrifices · sacrificed · sacrificing

Similar words

forgo
Means doing without something, not necessarily for a greater purpose.
surrender
Often implies yielding under pressure rather than choosing a worthwhile loss.