manslaughter

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noun man·slaugh·ter \ ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər \

Definition of manslaughter

:the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

See manslaughter defined for English-language learners

See manslaughter defined for kids

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

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.

— melissa eddy, New York Times, "German Nurse Is Thought to Have Killed at Least 86, Officials Say," 28 Aug. 2017
Peter Sheremeta, 20, of Belchertown, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, drunken driving and other charges.

— bob salsberg, chicagotribune.com, "Police boost patrols around home of $758.7 million Powerball winner," 25 Aug. 2017
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.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "Cindy Reese's appeal denied; claims she should have been acquitted or convicted of manslaughter," 22 Aug. 2017
Police later arrested the Dane on preliminary manslaughter charges in the disappearance of 30-year-old journalist Kim Wall.

— Bloomberg.com, "Danish Police Look for Body in Missing Journalist Case," 17 Aug. 2017
The macabre Twitter spree, with its gruesome invocation of vehicular manslaughter, was not just an obtuse comment on Charlottesville.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Three Days After Charlottesville Car Attack, Trump Retweets Image of Train Running Over CNN Reporter," 15 Aug. 2017
The macabre Twitter spree, with its gruesome invocation of vehicular manslaughter, was not just an obtuse comment on Charlottesville.

— isobel thompson, vanityfair.com, "Three Days After Charlottesville Car Attack, Trump Retweets Image of Train Running Over CNN Reporter," 15 Aug. 2017
But she was indicted on three counts of manslaughter and two counts of assault.

— jennifer baker, Cincinnati.com, "Trial starts for driver accused of killing granddad, twin toddlers," 7 Aug. 2017
A Jefferson County jury acquitted Mattingly of murder, first- and second-degree manslaughter and reckless homicide in October 2004.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "LMPD chief says he 'will never' rehire McKenzie Mattingly, who shot Michael Newby in 2004," 3 Aug. 2017

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

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

MANSLAUGHTER Defined for English Language Learners

manslaughter

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noun

Definition of manslaughter for English Language Learners

law : the crime of killing a person without intending to do so

MANSLAUGHTER Defined for Kids

manslaughter

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noun man·slaugh·ter \ ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər \

Definition of manslaughter for Students

:the unintentional but unlawful killing of a person

Medical Dictionary

manslaughter

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noun man·slaugh·ter \ ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər \

medical Definition of manslaughter

:the slaying of a human being; specifically :the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

Law Dictionary

manslaughter

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noun man·slaugh·ter \ ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər \

legal Definition of manslaughter

:the unlawful killing of a human being without malice — compare homicide, murder

— 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.

— misdemeanor-manslaughter

:involuntary manslaughter occurring during the commission of a misdemeanor — compare felony murder at murder

— 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.