Definition of murder

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mur·der    (mûrdr) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice.
2. Slang Something that is very uncomfortable, difficult, or hazardous: The rush hour traffic is murder.
3. A flock of crows. See Synonyms at flock¹.

VERB:
mur·dered, mur·der·ing, mur·ders
VERB:
tr.

1. To kill (another human) unlawfully.
2. To kill brutally or inhumanly.
3. To put an end to; destroy: murdered their chances.
4. To spoil by ineptness; mutilate: a speech that murdered the English language.
5. Slang To defeat decisively; trounce.

VERB:
intr.

To commit murder.

IDIOMS:
get away with murder Informal

To escape punishment for or detection of an egregiously blameworthy act.

murder will out

Secrets or misdeeds will eventually be disclosed.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English murther, from Old English morthor; see mer- in Indo-European roots