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

Vanderhoff was transferred to in-home hospice care at the end of July. — Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026

West believes Gilkar and Ahmed plan to put the baby into hospice care in California rather than moving forward with his potentially life-saving surgeries, according to the filing. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026

The bargaining unit includes over 60 hospice nurses who provide care services in patients' homes, assisted living communities and skilled nursing facilities. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

In arguing for their release, friends, relatives and former cellmates of the brothers pointed to programs the brothers have spearheaded in prison, including classes for anger management, meditation and helping inmates in hospice care. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 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