The name derives via Middle English from the Anglo-French verb maheimer "to maim" and is probably of Germanic origin; our own verb "to maim" comes from the same ancestor. The disfigurement sense first appeared in English in the 15th century. By the 19th century the word had come to mean any kind of violent behavior; nowadays, "mayhem" can be used to suggest any kind of chaos or disorder, as in, "there was mayhem in the streets during the citywide blackout. Send us feedback. See More First Known Use of mayhem 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a History and Etymology for mayhem Middle English mayme, mahaime , from Anglo-French mahaim mutilation, mayhem, from maheimer, mahaigner to maim, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German meiden gelding, Old Norse meitha to injure Keep scrolling for more Learn More about mayhem Share mayhem Post the Definition of mayhem to Facebook Share the Definition of mayhem on Twitter Time Traveler for mayhem. Accessed 6 Nov.


Sign up, it's free!

Navigation menu
Athletes live-tweeted from the golf course and wore microphones throughout the match, creating mayhem on the platform. Rwanda and Ethiopia, symbols in the past of death and mayhem , are now among the fastest-growing economies in the world. Of course there was mayhem there; the whole fight was delayed.
Latest releases
Mayhem is a Norwegian black metal band formed in in Oslo , Norway. They were one of the founders of the Norwegian black metal scene and their music has strongly influenced the black metal genre. The group released a demo and an EP that were highly influential, and amassed a loyal following through sporadic and notorious live performances, attracting further attention through their ties to the string of Norwegian church burnings and the incidents of violence surrounding them. Mayhem disbanded after Aarseth's murder, shortly before the release of their debut album, De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas , regarded as a classic of the black metal genre.
Add mayhem to one of your lists below, or create a new one. Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge. Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Extrovert or introvert?