advance directive

Definition of advance directive

: a legal document (such as a living will) signed by a competent person to provide guidance for medical and health-care decisions (such as the termination of life support or organ donation) in the event the person becomes incompetent to make such decisions

Examples of advance directive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web About 45 percent of older people have completed advance directives, which often specify that doctors should not take extreme measures to prolong life. — BostonGlobe.com, "The last time Americans died at home at the current rate was the middle of the last century, according to Dr. Haider Warraich, a cardiologist at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and a coauthor of the new research.," 13 Dec. 2019 In Illinois, state law allows end-of-life advance directives for a health care power of attorney, a living will, and Do-Not-Resuscitate/Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. — Robert Mccoppin, chicagotribune.com, "Friends rescue Chicago couple facing tragic end-of-life decision while living abroad," 9 Dec. 2019 Understand, this new statute does not refer to feeding tubes, which is a medical treatment that can be refused legally by advance directive in all 50 states. — Wesley J. Smith, National Review, "Dark Anniversary: The State of Assisted Suicide 25 Years after Measure 16," 19 Nov. 2019 Psychiatric advance directives, which are not court-directed, can be useful as well. — Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, chicagotribune.com, "Mental illness was my family’s secret — and America’s great shame," 2 Oct. 2019 Drafting an advance directive is an exercise in liberty. — Hui Yun Chan, Quartz, "Planning ahead for your death is surprisingly empowering," 30 Aug. 2019 Ruling in the case of a San Gabriel Valley man, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mary Thornton House said that in the event that there is no advance directive for a someone in a vegetative state, their partner can decide for them. — Richard Winton, latimes.com, "Judge rules that spouse has authority to remove partner's life support if there's no directive," 12 Mar. 2018 The city of LaCrosse, Wisconsin began a coordinated effort to encourage advance directives in the 1980s. — Michael K. Mcintyre, cleveland.com, "Sharing his final wishes among Dad's greatest gifts: Michael K. McIntyre," 29 Apr. 2018 The case, attorneys for Ana Romero said, illustrates the need for advance directives in California. — Richard Winton, latimes.com, "Judge rules that spouse has authority to remove partner's life support if there's no directive," 12 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'advance directive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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advanced degree

advanced fry

advanced in age/years

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Last Updated

15 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Advance directive.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advance%20directive. Accessed 18 January 2020.

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More Definitions for advance directive

advance directive

noun

ad·vance di·rec·tive | \ əd-ˈvan(t)s-də-ˈrek-tiv, -dī-

\

Medical Definition of advance directive

: a legal document (as a living will) signed by a living competent person in order to provide guidance for medical and health-care decisions (as the termination of life support and organ donation) in the event that the person becomes incompetent to make such decisions

advance directive

noun

Legal Definition of advance directive

: a document (as a living will or health care power of attorney) in which a person expresses his or her wishes regarding medical treatment in the event of incapacity