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

In addition to the two counts of second-degree murder, Rebecca Grossman was convicted in 2024 of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

The judge, who is presiding at the trial in the 296th District Court in Collin County, denied a defense request for the jury to be permitted to consider criminally negligent homicide, but jurors were instructed to consider manslaughter, a reckless killing. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026

Along with the manslaughter charge, Penton also faces an additional count of perjury for allegedly lying to a grand jury about when knew about Delgado-Garcia’s prior concussion symptoms. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

George Pino, a prominent South Florida real estate broker, was charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of vessel homicide in connection with the Labor Day weekend boat crash. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing manslaughter

• involuntary manslaughter

Rhymes for manslaughter

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater

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.