euthanasia

noun

eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: 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 adjective

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The suit says the DEC officers acted outside the scope of a warrant that authorized the search of the home and seizure of the animals but not their euthanasia, and in doing so violated the couple's right to due process. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 12 July 2025 While most states have felony-level cruelty laws, many exempt activities like research, euthanasia, farming, hunting, pest control, and rodeos. Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025 Already euthanasia has become the 5th leading cause of death north of our border. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 July 2025 The governor recently signed into law S.B. 80, which provides enhanced penalties in misdemeanor neglect cases that result in the death or euthanasia of an animal. Caroline A. Griffin, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for euthanasia

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of euthanasia was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Euthanasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

euthanasia

noun
eu·​tha·​na·​sia ˌyü-thə-ˈnā-zh(ē-)ə How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce euthanasia (audio)
: 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 adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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