boston massacre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “boston massacre” mean?
A historical event on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers killed five American colonists in Boston, Massachusetts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical event on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers killed five American colonists in Boston, Massachusetts.
A term used to describe the event, which became a key piece of anti-British propaganda and a catalyst for the American Revolution. In modern usage, it can metaphorically describe a violent clash between authority and civilians, or any event labelled a 'massacre' for political effect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, it is a standard term for the 1770 event, taught in schools. In British English, it is a recognised historical term but is less prominent in national history curricula and may be referred to more neutrally as the 'Incident on King Street' or the 'Boston Riot'.
Connotations
In American usage, it strongly connotes British tyranny and colonial innocence. In British usage, it may carry connotations of colonial rebellion and exaggerated propaganda.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English across all registers (education, media, historical discourse).
Grammar
How to Use “boston massacre” in a Sentence
[The] Boston Massacre [occurred/took place] in 1770.Historians [debate/analyze] the Boston Massacre.The term 'Boston Massacre' [is used to describe].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boston massacre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The event was later 'Boston Massacred' by the press to stir sentiment. (rare, derivative)
American English
- Patriot leaders worked to 'Boston Massacre' the incident in the public mind. (rare, derivative)
adjective
British English
- The Boston-Massacre-era tensions were high. (hyphenated, rare)
American English
- He gave a Boston Massacre lecture. (attributive noun use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in historical tourism or media contexts (e.g., 'a tour of Boston Massacre sites').
Academic
Common in history, political science, and American studies papers, often with critical discussion of the term itself.
Everyday
Used in American education and in Boston's historical discourse; otherwise rare in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in historiography to discuss the construction of historical narrative and propaganda.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “boston massacre”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “boston massacre”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boston massacre”
- Writing 'Boston Massacer' (misspelling).
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a boston massacre' – incorrect).
- Confusing the date (1770) with the Boston Tea Party (1773).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The term is debated. Only five people died, which by 18th-century standards was a violent clash, not a large-scale slaughter. Patriots used the word 'massacre' for propaganda to inflame public opinion against the British.
Crispus Attucks, a man of African and Native American descent, was one of the five colonists killed. He is often noted as the first casualty of the American Revolution.
The British soldiers were defended at trial by John Adams. Most were acquitted; two were convicted of manslaughter, receiving a brand on the thumb as punishment.
Revere's widely circulated print, 'The Bloody Massacre,' depicted the British soldiers firing in unison into a peaceful crowd. It was a powerful piece of propaganda that omitted the chaotic, confrontational nature of the event, solidifying the 'massacre' narrative.
A historical event on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers killed five American colonists in Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston massacre is usually formal, historical, academic in register.
Boston massacre: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɒstən ˈmæsəkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɔːstən ˈmæsəkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A modern-day Boston Massacre (used hyperbolically for police-civilian clashes).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'BOSTON' - 'B'ritish 'O'pened 'S'hooting, 'T'riggering 'O'utrage 'N'ationally.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPARK THAT IGNITES A REVOLUTION; PROPAGANDA AS A WEAPON.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key reason the term 'Boston Massacre' is considered contentious?