1 : to give up (something that you want to keep) especially in order to get or do something else or to help someone
(+ object)
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
(no object)
She was willing to suffer, sacrifice, and work for success.
2 : (+ object) : 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