The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Martyrdom \Mar"tyr*dom\, n. [Martyr + -dom.]
   1. The condition of a martyr; the death of a martyr; the
      suffering of death on account of adherence to the
      Christian faith, or to any cause. --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

            I came from martyrdom unto this peace. --Longfellow.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Affliction; torment; torture. --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

martyrdom
    n 1: death that is imposed because of the person's adherence of
         a religious faith or cause
    2: any experience that causes intense suffering [syn: calvary,
       martyrdom]