What is the term for the deliberate and systematic killing of an entire population?

The term for the deliberate and systematic killing of an entire population is genocide. This concept is used to describe actions taken with the intent to destroy, wholly or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. Genocide involves coordinated actions that may include mass killings, but also encompasses other acts aiming to harm the targeted group, including causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting living conditions calculated to bring about a group's physical destruction, and attempting to prevent births within the group.

Genocide is recognized by international law and has been the subject of significant study and discussion following numerous historical events, such as the Holocaust, the Rwandan Genocide, and more. This definition sets it apart from similar terms like extermination, which generally refers to the act of killing but does not necessarily involve the systematic and targeted approach that characterizes genocide. Understanding this term is crucial for recognizing the severe implications and consequences these actions have on societies and populations.