living will

noun

: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means if disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery compare advance directive

Examples of living will in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Clarissa Desmond and Adrian Dawn, a married couple from Independence, Kentucky, came to fill out living wills, last wills and durable power of attorney forms. —Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 24 Nov. 2024

The good news is inflation, which is the rate of increase of the cost of living will come down. —CBS News, 3 Nov. 2024

In the future, more natural living will also mean healthier living. —Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024

All these wishes should be executed through a durable power of attorney form and what is sometimes called an advance health directive or living will. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 20 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

living will

noun

: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means in the event of becoming disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery see advance directive

Legal Definition

living will

noun

liv·​ing will

: a document in which the signer indicates preferences or directions for the administration and especially the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment in the event of terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness see also advance directive compare health care power of attorney at power of attorney