homicide

noun

ho·​mi·​cide ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd  ˈhō- 

1

: a person who kills another

2

: a killing of one human being by another

detectives investigating a homicide

Synonyms

• blood
• foul play
• murder
• rubout
• slaying

Examples of homicide in a Sentence

The number of homicides increased last year.

He has been arrested for homicide.

Recent Examples on the Web

The investigation into this shooting is still ongoing, police said, and anyone with information is asked to call the homicide unit at 513-352-3542. —Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024

Anyone with information that could help a homicide investigation is asked to call the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 to remain anonymous. —Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2024

As a part of his border security message, Trump listed other homicide victims in cases where the suspects are known or alleged to be unauthorized immigrants. —Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2024

Police ask anyone with information to call homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. —Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2024

By February, the Chicago Police Department said the city had seen double-digit drops in homicides, shootings and shooting victims this year compared to the same period in 2023. —Ashley R. Williams, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024

During the two-day-long court proceedings, homicide detective Harry Singleton testified that Brown was disabled, per The Washington Post. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2024

The homicide unit handles all investigations when officers open fire, even when no one is struck. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024

The homicides took place in Nez Perce County and Clearwater County, police said. —Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin homicida, from homo human being + -cida -cide; in sense 2, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin homicidium, from homo + -cidium -cide

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

homicide

noun

ho·​mi·​cide ˈhäm-ə-ˌsīd  ˈhō-mə- 

: a killing of one human being by another

Etymology

Middle English homicide "the killing of a person," from early French homicide (same meaning), from Latin homicidium "the act of killing a man," from homo "man" and -cidium "the act of killing," from caedere "to kill, cut"

Medical Definition

homicide

noun

ho·​mi·​cide ˈhäm-ə-ˌsīd  ˈhō-mə- 

1

: a person who kills another

2

: a killing of one human being by another compare genocide

Legal Definition

homicide

noun

ho·​mi·​cide ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd, ˈhō- 

1

: a person who kills another

2

: the killing of one human being by another compare manslaughter, murder

— criminal homicide

: homicide committed by a person with a criminal state of mind (as intentionally, with premeditation, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence)

— deliberate homicide

: homicide caused purposely and knowingly —used in Montana

— excusable homicide

: homicide that is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act by lawful means with usual and ordinary caution and without any unlawful intent and that is excused under the law

also : justifiable homicide in this entry

— felonious homicide

: homicide committed without justification

— homicide by misadventure

: homicide that occurs as the result of an accident caused by a person doing a lawful act with no unlawful intent

— justifiable homicide

: homicide that is committed in self-defense, in defense of another and especially a member of one's family or sometimes in defense of a residence, in preventing a felony especially involving great bodily harm, or in performing a legal duty and that is justified under the law

also : excusable homicide in this entry

— negligent homicide

: homicide caused by a person's criminally negligent act

— reckless homicide

: homicide caused by a person's reckless acts

Note: In Illinois, involuntary manslaughter committed by use of a motor vehicle is called reckless homicide.

— vehicular homicide \ vē-​ˈhi-​kyə-​lər-​ \

: homicide committed by the use of a vehicle (as an automobile or boat)

Etymology

Latin homicidium, from homo human being + caedere to cut, kill