1. a person who cuts up and sells meat
2. a person who kills people brutally or in large numbers

1. to kill and cut up an animal for meat
2. to kill people brutally
3. to do something very badly; to ruin
Usage: informal

Examples

• The butcher cut the beef into steaks.
• She bought fresh chicken from the local butcher.
• The dictator was known as a butcher of innocent civilians.
• Farmers butcher their own livestock for meat.
• The invading army butchered the villagers.
• He butchered the song with his terrible singing.
• The translator butchered the meaning of the poem.