A slaughterhouse is a place where animals are killed for their meat. = abattoir. a building where animals such as cows or pigs are killed for their meat = abattoir
[ 'slo-t&r ] (noun.) 14th century. Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse slAtra to slaughter; akin to Old English sleaht slaughter, slEan to slay; more at SLAY.