Abattoir Definition and Pronunciation

Teacher Gu's English Class

Overview Meaning Pronunciation Usage Practice

abattoir

/ˈæbətwɑːr/
noun formal term

Definition: A slaughterhouse for animals

Origin: From French, literally meaning "a place where animals are slaughtered"

📚 Core Meanings

Slaughterhouse

A building where animals are killed for meat

The cattle were sent to the abattoir.
The animals were transported to the slaughterhouse.
Agriculture

Meat Processing

Facility for butchering and preparing meat products

The abattoir follows strict hygiene standards.
The meat processing plant maintains high cleanliness.
Food Industry

Legal Term

Officially licensed slaughter facility

This abattoir is government-approved.
The licensed slaughter facility meets all regulations.
Legal

"Abattoir" is a formal term primarily used in British English and official contexts. In everyday American English, "slaughterhouse" is more common.

🔄 Usage Comparison

English Examples

The abattoir processes 500 cattle daily.

New regulations have improved abattoir conditions.

This abattoir was built in 1980.

Translation

The slaughterhouse processes 500 cattle daily.

New regulations have improved slaughterhouse conditions.

This meat processing plant was built in 1980.

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

British Pronunciation

/ˈæbətwɑːr/

AB-uh-twar

American Pronunciation

/ˈæbətwɑːr/

AB-uh-twar

Key Pronunciation Points:

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing as "ab-a-tor" (incorrect)
  • Stressing the second syllable
  • Omitting the "r" sound at the end

🎯 Common Collocations

Municipal + abattoir

Government-run facility

Municipal abattoir
City-operated slaughterhouse
Official

Abattoir + workers

Slaughterhouse employees

Abattoir workers
Slaughterhouse employees
Employment

Modern + abattoir

Contemporary facility

Modern abattoir
Up-to-date slaughterhouse
Technology

Grammar Notes

Singular: abattoir
Plural: abattoirs

⚠️ Common Confusions

Don't Confuse:

Abattoir is a place for animal treatment. (Incorrect)

Correct:Abattoir is a place for animal slaughter.

Abattoir and butcher shop are the same. (Incorrect)

Correct:Abattoir is for slaughter, butcher shop is for meat retail.

✍️ Practice Exercises

Translation Practice

1. The new abattoir meets EU standards.
2. Abattoir inspections occur weekly.
3. This abattoir serves the entire region.

1. The new slaughterhouse meets EU standards.

2. Slaughterhouse inspections occur weekly.

3. This meat processing facility serves the entire region.

Pronunciation Practice

Repeat these sentences:

• The abattoir is located outside town. [ˈæbətwɑːr]
• Abattoir workers need protective gear. [ˈæbətwɑːr]
• This abattoir was recently renovated. [ˈæbətwɑːr]

Correction Exercise

Identify and correct errors:

1. Abattoir is pronounced [æbəˈtɔɪr].
2. An abattoir is where animals are treated.
3. The abattoir sells meat directly to consumers.

1. Abattoir is pronounced [ˈæbətwɑːr] (stress on first syllable)

2. An abattoir is where animals are slaughtered.

3. The butcher shop sells meat directly to consumers.