: having or being a policy that prohibits killing
a no-kill fishing tournament
especially : having or being a policy that prohibits or severely limits the euthanizing of animals in a shelter
"I will spare no expense on veterinary care for our pets," says Renee, who has nine cats and is on the board of a no-kill shelter. Catherine Fredman
… shelters can euthanize up to 10 percent of their animals for reasons of health and temperament, and still be considered "no-kill." Greg Allen

Examples of no-kill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Following numerous complaints and an uptick in animal deaths that resulted in the shelter losing its no-kill designation, public officials had called for an objective review of the shelter’s operations. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2025 The no-kill rescue responded quickly, worried that the canine didn't have long based on the size and placement of the pretzel container. Kelli Bender, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025 The no-kill shelter relies on public donations, Coontz said. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025 New Hampshire, which has a state-wide no-kill policy, led the nation with a 95% save rate compared to California, at 87%. Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for no-kill

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of no-kill was in 1964

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Cite this Entry

“No-kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no-kill. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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