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

Their argument is that the town should release the animal to a qualified sanctuary, and that charging dog owners to board their pet while a euthanasia appeal is underway would discourage most people for pursuing such an appeal. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025

Taylor even met Violet at the vet's office to be there with her through the euthanasia process. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025

This may help take the pressure off an overcrowded shelter and save animals from euthanasia. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

Crescent Duck Farm President Doug Corwin told local station WABC-TV that the mass euthanasia was particularly devastating as Long Island used to be known for its extensive duck farming industry and the business is the largest major commercial duck farm in Suffolk County. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025

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