: having or being a policy that prohibits killing
a no-kill fishing tournament
especially : having or being a policy that prohibits or severely limits the euthanizing of animals in a shelter
"I will spare no expense on veterinary care for our pets," says Renee, who has nine cats and is on the board of a no-kill shelter. Catherine Fredman
… shelters can euthanize up to 10 percent of their animals for reasons of health and temperament, and still be considered "no-kill." Greg Allen

Examples of no-kill in a Sentence

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.
According to a release from Best Friends, the number of animals euthanized at U.S. shelters has decreased by 3.4% since 2023, but plenty of pets need to find homes before the country's shelter system becomes no-kill. Kelli Bender, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024 The national animal welfare organization is working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill in 2025. Saman Shafiq, The Courier-Journal, 2 Dec. 2024 In June, Paws Fur the Cause, a nonprofit organization and no-kill animal shelter, reported that Scalero had agreed to pay $500 for a 3-year-old Maltese mix named Pepe the month prior. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 19 Nov. 2024 In 2016, Castle put a stake in the ground on behalf of Best Friends, aiming to take the entire country to no-kill in 2025. Alain Hunkins, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for no-kill 

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of no-kill was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near no-kill

Cite this Entry

“No-kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no-kill. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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