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

In April, the Justice Department announced that eight people were arrested and several more charged in connection with a federal health care and hospice fraud investigation in Southern California. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 July 2026

That's why she's partnered with Baker's team and other Bay Area hospitals, hospices and medical centers through The Holding Co. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 20 July 2026

Birch was volunteering in the hospice program at Osborn Correctional Institution, which had replaced Somers. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

My sweet mother-in-law was in hospice care, and getting her evacuated comfortably overshadowed any home prep. — Kristy Woodson Harvey, Southern Living, 18 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