manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər 

: the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

Examples of manslaughter in a Sentence

She was convicted of manslaughter for driving while drunk and killing three people.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mariah Clayton, now 21, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on March 8 in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 19-year-old Aniyah Womack, according to online court records. —Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2024

In Miami-Dade, which did not provide an exact number of cases, four county police officers are facing manslaughter charges in the 2019 death of a UPS driver and will soon go to trial. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024

Former ballerina Ashley Benefield has been found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in the shooting death of her husband Doug Benefield. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 30 July 2024

The teenage driver, who’s charged with vehicular manslaughter, is back home, released to the custody of his parents and under GPS monitoring. —Jeff Abell, Baltimore Sun, 27 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing manslaughter

• involuntary manslaughter

Kids Definition

manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər 

: the unlawful killing of a person without the intention to do so

Medical Definition

manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər 

: the slaying of a human being

specifically : the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

Legal Definition

manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər 

: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice compare homicide, murder

— involuntary manslaughter

: manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act involving a risk of injury or death that is done in an unlawful, reckless, or grossly negligent manner see also reckless homicide at homicide

Note: The exact formulation of the elements of involuntary manslaughter vary from state to state especially with regard to the level of negligence required. In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, involuntary manslaughter is usually graded as a second- or third-degree offense.

— misdemeanor-manslaughter

: involuntary manslaughter occurring during the commission of a misdemeanor compare felony murder at murder

— voluntary manslaughter

: manslaughter resulting from an intentional act done without malice or premeditation and while in the heat of passion or on sudden provocation

Note: In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, voluntary manslaughter is usually a first-degree offense.