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

Emily, whose daughter Violet had a rare genetic disorder called TBCK Syndrome and died at 11 months old in August 2023, joined a small group from Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice in Wales, including fellow parents Candice Jones and Anton Griffiths. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

One lengthy post came from a person who talked about Bode's being at the top of the list of places that their in hospice care father wanted visit. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 1 Dec. 2025

But with his health rapidly deteriorating, Michael was admitted to a hospice facility in October. —Jordan Rau, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025

But just as things are getting fun, Dina gets a call from her husband’s hospice nurse and has to run off. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2025

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