euthanasia

noun

eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə 

: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy

euthanasic

ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zik 

-sik

adjective

Did you know?

Where does euthanasia come from?

Euthanasia is a mass noun (or noncount noun), that is, a noun used only in the singular form.

The word comes from the Greek euthanatos, which means “easy death.” In English, euthanasia has been used in exactly this sense since the early seventeenth century, when Francis Bacon described the phenomenon as “after the fashion and semblance of a kindly & pleasant sleepe.” Nowadays, the word usually refers to the means of attaining such a death.

Examples of euthanasia in a Sentence

a physician who refuses to practice euthanasia

Recent Examples on the Web

The new Olathe Animal Shelter will remain a no-kill operation, meaning the shelter only administers euthanasia for animals with terminal illness or dangerous behavioral issues. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026

The euthanasia rate has remained stable at around 29%, but because of the growing intake, more animals are being euthanized. —Jerry Wu, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

In the Netherlands, a young woman’s request for euthanasia on the grounds of unbearable mental suffering was approved. —Sonja Wasden, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026

In October, officials tranquilized three adult wolves from a helicopter, then injected them with chemical euthanasia. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek, easy death, from euthanatos, from eu- + thanatos death — more at thanatos

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for euthanasia

• achalasia
• hyperplasia
• hypoplasia
• metaplasia
• neoplasia
• aphasia
• aplasia
• dysplasia
• fantasia
• telangiectasia

Kids Definition

euthanasia

noun

eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə 

: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured persons or animals with as little pain as possible for reasons of mercy

called also mercy killing

Medical Definition

euthanasia

noun

eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə 

: the act or practice of causing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy

called also mercy killing

Legal Definition

euthanasia

noun

eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zhə 

: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured persons in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy

called also mercy killing

euthanasic

-ˈnā-zik, -sik 

adjective