abattoir

Noun

UK: /ˈæbəˌtwɑː/

US: /ˈæbəˌtwɑr/


Definition and Examples

▶️ A place where animals are killed for meat

Example: The abattoir is a place where cows and pigs are prepared to become meat for people to eat.

  • Explanation: In this sentence, "abattoir" refers to a special place where animals are processed for food.

Example: The workers at the abattoir make sure the animals are treated properly before they are turned into meat.

  • Explanation: Here, "abattoir" means the facility where animals are handled before their meat is packaged.

Detailed Look at Usage

When describing a place where animals are processed for meat:

☑️Example: The abattoir is very clean and follows rules to ensure the meat is safe to eat.

  • Subject: The abattoir
  • Predicate: is very clean and follows rules to ensure the meat is safe to eat
    • "is" (verb)
    • "very clean" (adjective phrase describing the abattoir)
    • "and follows rules to ensure the meat is safe to eat" (verb phrase with an infinitive clause explaining purpose)
      • "follows" (verb)
      • "rules to ensure the meat is safe to eat" (infinitive phrase explaining purpose)

☑️Example: The farmers bring their animals to the abattoir when it's time for them to be processed.

  • Subject: The farmers
  • Predicate: bring their animals to the abattoir when it's time for them to be processed
    • "bring" (verb)
    • "their animals to the abattoir" (direct object with a prepositional phrase)
    • "when it's time for them to be processed" (dependent clause explaining timing)
      • "when" (conjunction)
      • "it's time for them to be processed" (clause)
        • "it's" (subject and verb)
        • "time for them to be processed" (noun phrase with infinitive clause)

When describing a facility for slaughtering animals:

☑️Example: The abattoir operates under stringent animal welfare regulations to ensure humane treatment throughout the slaughtering process.

  • Subject: The abattoir
  • Predicate: operates under stringent animal welfare regulations to ensure humane treatment throughout the slaughtering process
    • "operates" (verb)
    • "under stringent animal welfare regulations" (prepositional phrase indicating compliance)
      • "under" (preposition)
      • "stringent animal welfare regulations" (noun phrase)
    • "to ensure humane treatment throughout the slaughtering process" (infinitive phrase explaining purpose)
      • "to ensure" (infinitive verb)
      • "humane treatment throughout the slaughtering process" (noun phrase with a prepositional phrase)

☑️Example: Modern abattoirs employ various methods to minimize the stress and suffering of animals during slaughter.

  • Subject: Modern abattoirs
  • Predicate: employ various methods to minimize the stress and suffering of animals during slaughter
    • "employ" (verb)
    • "various methods" (direct object)
    • "to minimize the stress and suffering of animals during slaughter" (infinitive phrase indicating purpose)
      • "to minimize" (infinitive verb)
      • "the stress and suffering of animals during slaughter" (noun phrase with a prepositional phrase)

More Examples

☑️Example: The abattoir helps turn animals into meat, which is then sold in grocery stores.

  • Subject: The abattoir
  • Predicate: helps turn animals into meat, which is then sold in grocery stores
    • "helps turn" (verb phrase)
    • "animals into meat" (direct object with a prepositional phrase)
    • "which is then sold in grocery stores" (relative clause describing what happens to the meat)

☑️Example: After visiting the abattoir, they learned about where their food comes from.

  • Subject: they
  • Predicate: learned about where their food comes from
    • "learned" (verb)
    • "about where their food comes from" (prepositional phrase with a relative clause)

☑️Example: The company invested in upgrading their abattoir to improve efficiency and product quality.

  • Subject: The company
  • Predicate: invested in upgrading their abattoir to improve efficiency and product quality
    • "invested in" (verb phrase)
    • "upgrading their abattoir" (gerund phrase as the object)
    • "to improve efficiency and product quality" (infinitive phrase explaining purpose)

☑️Example: Environmental concerns have led to increased scrutiny of abattoir practices to ensure minimal impact on local ecosystems.

  • Subject: Environmental concerns
  • Predicate: have led to increased scrutiny of abattoir practices to ensure minimal impact on local ecosystems
    • "have led to" (verb phrase)
    • "increased scrutiny of abattoir practices" (noun phrase as the object)
    • "to ensure minimal impact on local ecosystems" (infinitive phrase explaining purpose)
      • "to ensure" (infinitive verb)
      • "minimal impact on local ecosystems" (noun phrase with a prepositional phrase)

Synonyms & Similar Words

Slaughterhouse (another term for a place where animals are processed for meat) Meat processing plant Butchery (less common term)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Farm (a place where animals are raised, not processed) Butcher shop (a place where meat is sold, but not where animals are processed) Ranch (a large farm where animals are raised for meat)