1 : to give up (something that you want to keep) especially in order to get or do something else or to help someone [+ obj] ▪ She's had to sacrifice a lot for her family. ▪ He sacrificed his personal life in order to get ahead in his career. ▪ I want to follow a diet that is healthful without sacrificing taste. ▪ She was able to ask for their help without sacrificing her dignity. ▪ They sacrificed their lives [=they died] for their country. [no obj] ▪ She was willing to suffer, sacrifice, and work for success. 2 [+ obj] : to kill (a person or animal) in a religious ceremony as an offering to please a god
▪ a place where people/animals were sacrificed in ancient rituals 3 baseball a [no obj] : to make a sacrifice bunt
▪ He sacrificed in his first at bat.
b [+ obj] : to cause (a base runner) to go to the next base by making a sacrifice bunt — usually used as (be) sacrificed ▪ The runner was sacrificed to second base.