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

The brothers were tried simultaneously but with separate juries—neither of which was ultimately able to reach a unanimous decision as to whether Lyle and Erik were guilty of manslaughter or murder. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

Jason Greene faces manslaughter charges in connection with the death of an unidentified man who was shot in Greene's home at around 8 p.m. on Sunday, Myers said. —Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 16 Sep. 2024

Nicola Priest was sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter in connection with the death of her child, 3-year-old daughter Kaylee-Jayde Priest, alongside her then-boyfriend Callum Redfern, who received 14 years after his manslaughter conviction for his role in the toddler’s death. —Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2024

This brief interaction marked the last time Read saw O’Keefe’s family before she was arrested on Feb. 1, 2022, and charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle collision causing death. —Meghan Mariani, ABC News, 6 Sep. 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.