hospice
Americannoun
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a house of shelter or rest for pilgrims, strangers, etc., especially one kept by a religious order.
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Medicine/Medical.
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a healthcare facility for the terminally ill that emphasizes pain control and emotional support for the patient and family, typically refraining from taking extraordinary measures to prolong life.
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a similar program of care and support for the terminally ill at home or in a nursing home.
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noun
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a nursing home that specializes in caring for the terminally ill
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Also called: hospitium. archaic a place of shelter for travellers, esp one kept by a monastic order
Etymology
Origin of hospice
First recorded in 1810–20; from French, from Latin hospitium “hospitable reception, entertainment”; see hospitium
Explanation
If someone has entered into a hospice, his health outlook is likely grim. Hospice care is a program designed to make the process of dying as comfortable as possible for patients and their families. The word hospice comes from the Latin hospitum, meaning "guest house, hospitality." Hospice traditionally meant lodging for travelers, often run by a religious order like a church or monastery. While we most commonly see the word hospice used to describe the particular care provided to people who are dying, the term is not strictly limited to this. A hospice can also be a place that takes care of the sick, not necessarily only the terminally ill.
Vocabulary lists containing hospice
National Nurses Week: Hospital People and Places
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The Fault in Our Stars
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Front Desk
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The DoH has now pledged £1.1m in funding for NI's four hospices, and £500,000 for the Children's Hospice.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
In a statement, the Hospice Alliance said, while the £1.6m will help in the immediate, securing services in the long-term is crucial.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Hospice fraud has been an issue across the nation, including in Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Nevada, Arizona and New York.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Hospice care has grabbed the attention of the federal government, which is vowing to decertify companies that are overbilling, stealing identities or charging for services never provided.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Laurie wanted me to call Hospice and arrange for someone to come to the home and explain the various programs available.
From Through these Eyes The courageous struggle to find meaning in a life stressed with cancer by Isaacson, Lauren Ann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
