living will

noun

: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means if disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery compare advance directive

Examples of living will in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The parent might rely on a living will to communicate their health care wishes and provide that to their medical providers. Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Yet, living wills, or advanced directives, which could be considered as taking control of the process to some extent, are generally uncommon or insufficiently detailed, leaving family members with an incredibly difficult choice. Tal Patalon, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 This is particularly acute among young women, with 60% worrying that the soaring cost of living will keep them from achieving financial security. Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 5 Feb. 2024 Key documents, including a last will, durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, living will, and trusts, collectively safeguard assets, streamline the transfer process, and mitigate potential financial burdens on families. Ebony Flake, Essence, 23 Jan. 2024 Still, a sense of hunger (or satiation) can be unbelievably tantalizing, as anyone cooking and tasting food for a living will tell you. Yotam Ottolenghi, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2024 Future living will pose challenges with new need states and business opportunities. Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2023 The conditions of living will determine the quality of life for all regardless of fanciful and contradictory tales of comfort. Hazlitt, 27 Sep. 2023 Having an advance directive, health care proxy, or living will, unfortunately, can be virtually useless in the face of that kind of behavior. Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 22 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'living will.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of living will was in 1969

Dictionary Entries Near living will

Cite this Entry

“Living will.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/living%20will. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

living will

noun
: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means in the event of becoming disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery see advance directive

Legal Definition

living will

noun
liv·​ing will
: a document in which the signer indicates preferences or directions for the administration and especially the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment in the event of terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness see also advance directive compare health care power of attorney at power of attorney
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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