manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər 

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

Examples of manslaughter in a Sentence

She was convicted of manslaughter for driving while drunk and killing three people.

Recent Examples on the Web

Four years earlier, in 2002, he had been charged with manslaughter in the death of a fellow student at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

In March, Rust's armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who supervised weapons on set, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of manslaughter over Hutchins' death. —EW.com, 23 Apr. 2024

The Lebanon Reporter reported that the jury was given the option to consider both murder and voluntary manslaughter. —Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024

Miley was arrested and booked in Dale County jail on a manslaughter charge, records show. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

In 2011, Taylor was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in a 2010 stabbing death, court records show. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024

According to jail records previously reviewed by PEOPLE, Guerrero, 27, faces a total of 12 charges, including one count of manslaughter and one for collision involving death. —Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

Chad Burrell, 34, and Isaiah Story, 21, in December pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Roberts’ death. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024

He was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of manslaughter in January and pleaded not guilty. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing manslaughter

• involuntary manslaughter

Kids Definition

manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər 

: the unlawful killing of a person without the intention to do so

Medical Definition

manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər 

: the slaying of a human being

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

Legal Definition

manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər 

: 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.