Definition of manslaughter
:the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice
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Examples of manslaughter in a Sentence
She was convicted of manslaughter for driving while drunk and killing three people.
Recent Examples of manslaughter from the Web
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In October 2016, prosecutors brought charges against six employees of the hospital in Delmenhorst, on suspicion of negligent manslaughter, for failing to take action despite their suspicion regarding the nurse’s actions.
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Peter Sheremeta, 20, of Belchertown, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, drunken driving and other charges.
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Her appeal also states the court should have given the jury instructions on a manslaughter charge, and that the court failed to give correct jury instructions on complicity.
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Police later arrested the Dane on preliminary manslaughter charges in the disappearance of 30-year-old journalist Kim Wall.
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The macabre Twitter spree, with its gruesome invocation of vehicular manslaughter, was not just an obtuse comment on Charlottesville.
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The macabre Twitter spree, with its gruesome invocation of vehicular manslaughter, was not just an obtuse comment on Charlottesville.
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But she was indicted on three counts of manslaughter and two counts of assault.
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A Jefferson County jury acquitted Mattingly of murder, first- and second-degree manslaughter and reckless homicide in October 2004.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manslaughter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of manslaughter
14th century
Other Legal Terms
MANSLAUGHTER Defined for English Language Learners
MANSLAUGHTER Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
legal Definition of manslaughter
:the unlawful killing of a human being without malice — compare homicide, murder
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involuntary manslaughter
:manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act involving a risk of injury or death that is done in an unlawful, reckless, or grossly negligent manner — see also reckless homicide at homicide
Note:
The exact formulation of the elements of involuntary manslaughter vary from state to state especially with regard to the level of negligence required. In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, involuntary manslaughter is usually graded as a second- or third-degree offense.
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misdemeanor-manslaughter
:involuntary manslaughter occurring during the commission of a misdemeanor — compare felony murder at murder
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voluntary manslaughter
:manslaughter resulting from an intentional act done without malice or premeditation and while in the heat of passion or on sudden provocation
Note:
In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, voluntary manslaughter is usually a first-degree offense.
Learn More about manslaughter
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See words that rhyme with manslaughter Spanish Central: Translation of manslaughter Nglish: Translation of manslaughter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of manslaughter for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manslaughter
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