homicide

noun

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ho·mi·cide | \ ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd

, ˈhō-

Definition of homicide

1 : a person who kills another

2 : a killing of one human being by another detectives investigating a homicide

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About homicide

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Examples of homicide in a Sentence

The number of homicides increased last year. He has been arrested for homicide.

Recent Examples on the Web Detectives identified Gabriel as the suspect in the homicide based on surveillance video and witness’ descriptions of the shooter, Velovich said. — David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2021 The downtown homicide followed a shooting in late June in Old Town’s entertainment district near Northwest Fourth Avenue and Couch Street that wounded two men and sent patrons flooding out of a nearby bar. — oregonlive, 18 July 2021 Minneapolis police are investigating the shooting, which is the 50th homicide so far this year in the city. — Kim Hyatt, Star Tribune, 18 July 2021 Chandler Halderson, 23, who was living with his parents in Windsor, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding and mutilating a corpse and providing false information on a kidnapping in the slaying of 50-year-old Bart Halderson. — Fox News, 17 July 2021 Anyone with information on the Fultondale homicide is asked to call Fultondale Det. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 16 July 2021 Ross admitted his involvement in the double homicide to detectives, and his vehicle was found five blocks away from the shooting scene. — Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2021 The teen’s killing marks the seventh homicide in Vallejo so far this year, police said. — Lauren Hernández, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 July 2021 Police said that detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to investigate the homicide and that three other juveniles related to the incident were subsequently transported to the police department for questioning. — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 14 July 2021

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

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Dictionary Entries Near homicide

homicidal

homicide

homicidious

Statistics for homicide

Last Updated

23 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Homicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homicide. Accessed 1 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for homicide

homicide

noun

English Language Learners Definition of homicide

chiefly US : the act of killing another person

See the full definition for homicide in the English Language Learners Dictionary

homicide

noun

ho·mi·cide | \ ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd

, ˈhō-mə- \

Kids Definition of homicide

: a killing of one human being by another

homicide

noun

ho·mi·cide | \ ˈhäm-ə-ˌsīd

, ˈhō-mə-

Medical Definition of homicide

1 : a person who kills another

2 : a killing of one human being by another — compare genocide

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homicide

noun

ho·mi·cide | \ ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd, ˈhō-

Legal Definition of homicide

1 : a person who kills another

2 : the killing of one human being by another — compare manslaughter, murder

— criminal homicide

: homicide committed by a person with a criminal state of mind (as intentionally, with premeditation, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence)

— deliberate homicide

: homicide caused purposely and knowingly —used in Montana

— excusable homicide

: homicide that is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act by lawful means with usual and ordinary caution and without any unlawful intent and that is excused under the law also : justifiable homicide in this entry

— felonious homicide

: homicide committed without justification

— homicide by misadventure

: homicide that occurs as the result of an accident caused by a person doing a lawful act with no unlawful intent

— justifiable homicide

: homicide that is committed in self-defense, in defense of another and especially a member of one's family or sometimes in defense of a residence, in preventing a felony especially involving great bodily harm, or in performing a legal duty and that is justified under the law also : excusable homicide in this entry

— negligent homicide

: homicide caused by a person's criminally negligent act

— reckless homicide

: homicide caused by a person's reckless acts

Note: In Illinois, involuntary manslaughter committed by use of a motor vehicle is called reckless homicide.

— vehicular homicide \ vē-ˈhi-kyə-lər- \

: homicide committed by the use of a vehicle (as an automobile or boat)