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

Many of the women there have spent decades in prison and become family to one another, caring for women in hospice so no one has to die alone. —Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

An 89-year-old Kentucky Derby super fan in hospice care was granted a special wish — to make it to one more race. —CBS News, 4 May 2026

While the Lincolnwood Town Center site at McCormick Boulevard and Touhy Avenue wouldn’t support going way upscale, at least the property has a future after many years in the retail equivalent of hospice. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

Late in her career, Dale even wound up supervising hospice workers. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 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