euthanasia

noun

eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy
euthanasic adjective

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Where does euthanasia come from?

Euthanasia is a mass noun (or noncount noun), that is, a noun used only in the singular form.

The word comes from the Greek euthanatos, which means “easy death.” In English, euthanasia has been used in exactly this sense since the early seventeenth century, when Francis Bacon described the phenomenon as “after the fashion and semblance of a kindly & pleasant sleepe.” Nowadays, the word usually refers to the means of attaining such a death.

Examples of euthanasia in a Sentence

a physician who refuses to practice euthanasia
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the staff explained that euthanasia was not warranted based on the pup's condition, the owners agreed to surrender him. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025 On average, 17 U.S. veterans and one active-duty service member are lost to suicide every day and 1,800 dogs a day are lost to euthanasia. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 Though euthanasia is considered a last resort, every other attempt to help the false killer whales has been unsuccessful, said marine biologist and deputy incident controller Kris Carlyon in the same statement. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025 In 2016, a doctor who provided an assisted death to a 74-year-old woman with dementia was charged with violating the euthanasia law. Stephanie Nolen, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for euthanasia

Word History

Etymology

Greek, easy death, from euthanatos, from eu- + thanatos death — more at thanatos

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of euthanasia was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Euthanasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

euthanasia

noun
eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured persons or animals with as little pain as possible for reasons of mercy

called also mercy killing

Medical Definition

euthanasia

noun
eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: the act or practice of causing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy

called also mercy killing

Legal Definition

euthanasia

noun
eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zhə How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured persons in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy

called also mercy killing

euthanasic adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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