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

Today, patients who enroll in hospice tend to have a higher quality of life, including less pain, greater patient satisfaction and, for some, longer survival. — Jane Callahan, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

The homes work with all outside care providers like home health or hospice. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

In addition to hospice staff, a number of local businesses stepped up to make the Glossops’ wedding happen, donating flowers, photographer services, a wedding cake and a spread of food. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026

Van Norden’s wife, Wendy, told TMZ that her husband died in a Southern California hospice facility early Thursday. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 July 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