living will

noun

Definition of living will

: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means if disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery — compare advance directive

Examples of living will in a Sentence

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Does your parent have a will, a living will and powers of attorney for health care and finances? — sandiegouniontribune.com, "Don't do it alone! Here's how to build a caregiving team," 25 Apr. 2018 Those documents include a power of attorney, a power of attorney for health care, a living will, a standard will, a living trust and guardianship/conservatorship. — Robert Powell, USA TODAY, "5 steps to ease your worries about money, health in retirement," 16 May 2018 The legal document is called a living will, or advanced directive. — Cynthia Sewell, idahostatesman, "4 women sue Idaho over law that voids your living will if you're pregnant," 31 May 2018 This is where a medical directive, also known as a living will, comes in. — Scott Nordlund, sandiegouniontribune.com, "5 essential documents for elderly parents," 24 Apr. 2018 An occupational living will would not be legally binding. — Kirk R. Daffner, Washington Post, "Reflections of a dementia specialist: I want to stop working before I embarrass myself," 15 Apr. 2018 The woman's attorney says the deputies were subsequently granted power of attorney and named agents on her living will. — Fox News, "2 California deputies under investigation for elder abuse," 16 Mar. 2018 These include a will, a power of attorney, a living will, and a health-care proxy. — Selena Maranjian, USA TODAY, "Personal finance: 15 smart things you can do with $1,000 right now," 7 Oct. 2017 Now is the time for your parent to choose a residential retirement care provider, to designate his or her medical, legal and financial powers of attorney, and to complete a living will or advance care directive. — Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Your first 4 steps after mom or dad is diagnosed with dementia," 19 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'living will.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of living will was in 1969

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More Definitions for living will

living will

noun

English Language Learners Definition of living will

law : a document in which you say what medical decisions should be made if you become too sick or injured to make those decisions

See the full definition for living will in the English Language Learners Dictionary

living will

noun

Medical Definition of living will

: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means in the event of becoming disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery — see advance directive

living will

noun

liv·ing will

Legal Definition of living will

: a document in which the signer indicates preferences or directions for the administration and especially the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment in the event of terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness — see also advance directive — compare health care power of attorney at power of attorney