physician-assisted suicide

noun

Definition of physician-assisted suicide

:suicide by a patient facilitated by means (such as a drug prescription) or by information (such as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient's intent

See physician-assisted suicide defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of physician-assisted suicide

1987

PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE Defined for English Language Learners

physician-assisted suicide

noun

Definition of physician-assisted suicide for English Language Learners

: suicide that is done with the help of a doctor

Medical Dictionary

physician-assisted suicide

noun

medical Definition of physician-assisted suicide

:suicide by a patient facilitated by means or information (as a drug prescription or indication of the lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient's intent

Proponents of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide claim that the principle of respect for autonomy requires that patients be allowed to choose the manner of their death.
—Robert I. Misbin, The New England Journal of Medicine, 31 Oct. 1991

Law Dictionary

physician-assisted suicide

noun

legal Definition of physician-assisted suicide

:suicide by a patient facilitated by means (as a drug prescription) or by information (as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician who is aware of the patientʼs intent

Note: In 2007, Oregon became the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill. A few states have followed.

Learn More about physician-assisted suicide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about physician-assisted suicide

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up physician-assisted suicide? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

physician-assisted suicide

Definition of physician-assisted suicide

First Known Use of physician-assisted suicide

PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE Defined for English Language Learners

physician-assisted suicide

Definition of physician-assisted suicide for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

physician-assisted suicide

medical Definition of physician-assisted suicide

Law Dictionary

physician-assisted suicide

legal Definition of physician-assisted suicide

Learn More about physician-assisted suicide

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

euphony

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Spox' May Go On The Record

C'mon, Of Course 'Myriad' Is a Noun

'Gamut' and 'Gambit' (and 'Gauntlet' Too)

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Forms of Government Quiz

Original Meanings Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066

physician-assisted suicide

Definition of physician-assisted suicide

From the M-W Editors

First Known Use of physician-assisted suicide

PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE Defined for English Language Learners

physician-assisted suicide

Definition of physician-assisted suicide for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

physician-assisted suicide

medical Definition of physician-assisted suicide

Law Dictionary

physician-assisted suicide

legal Definition of physician-assisted suicide

Learn More about physician-assisted suicide

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066