hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhä-spəs 

1

: a lodging for travelers, young persons, or the underprivileged especially when maintained by a religious order

2

: a program designed to provide palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in a home or homelike setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care

also : a facility that provides such a program

Synonyms

• auberge
• caravansary
• caravanserai
• hostel
• hostelry
• hotel
• inn
• lodge
• public house
• tavern

Examples of hospice in a Sentence

She chose to go to a hospice instead of a hospital.

the monks run a hospice for travelers in their mountain retreat

Recent Examples on the Web

People in hospice care, substance abuse programs and cancer treatment centers have also benefited from music therapist visits, according to the AMTA. DON’T MISS: How to master your money and grow your wealth However, those positions often don’t pay top dollar. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2024

The former linebacker died in hospice care on September 11, according to his family. —Ben Morse, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024

The net losses include elderly care, home health, hospice, mental health centers and rehabilitation centers. —Jason Clayworth, Axios, 11 Sep. 2024

Accepting the award on behalf of the team, writer Joanna Rothkopf said the show had tackled subjects such as the opioid crisis and challenges in the management of hospice care. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French hospise, borrowed from Medieval Latin hospitium "hospitality, lodgings, monastic guesthouse, shelter maintained by a religious order for the poor and infirm," going back to Latin,"accommodation of guests, hired lodgings," from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ium, denominal suffix of function or occupation — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhäs-pəs 

1

: an inn for travelers

especially : one kept by a religious order

2

: a place or program for caring for dying persons

Medical Definition

hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhäs-pəs 

: a facility or program designed to provide palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in a home or homelike setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care