hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhä-spəs 

1

: a lodging for travelers, young persons, or the underprivileged especially when maintained by a religious order

2

: a program designed to provide palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in a home or homelike setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care

also : a facility that provides such a program

Synonyms of hospice

• hotel
• hostel
• tavern

Examples of hospice in a Sentence

She chose to go to a hospice instead of a hospital.

the monks run a hospice for travelers in their mountain retreat

Recent Examples on the Web

However, Betsy didn’t actually find the work until a few weeks ago when her aunt was put into hospice at age 98. — Harrison Jacobs For Artnews, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026

Holistic, empathetic care Pediatric palliative care is an approach that emerged out of the adult hospice and palliative care movement in the 1990s to early 2000s as a distinct discipline. — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

He was admitted to the hospice that same week, CNN affiliate KFSM reported. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2026

In one instance, defendants were charged with stealing more than $140 million by falsely certifying non-terminally ill patients for hospice care. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French hospise, borrowed from Medieval Latin hospitium "hospitality, lodgings, monastic guesthouse, shelter maintained by a religious order for the poor and infirm," going back to Latin,"accommodation of guests, hired lodgings," from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ium, denominal suffix of function or occupation — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhäs-pəs 

1

: an inn for travelers

especially : one kept by a religious order

2

: a place or program for caring for dying persons

Medical Definition

hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhäs-pəs 

: a facility or program designed to provide palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in a home or homelike setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care