living will

American  

noun

1. a document instructing physicians, relatives, or others to refrain from the use of extraordinary measures, as life-support equipment, to prolong one's life in the event of a terminal illness.

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living will British  

noun

1. a document stating that if its author becomes terminally ill, his or her life should not be prolonged by artificial means, such as a life-support machine

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Etymology

Origin of living will

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Also called an advance directive, a living will sets forth your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation or tube feeding, if you are unable to make decisions on your own.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Mariano Machado, an analyst at the consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft, warned that "any gap between the macroeconomic situation and voters' everyday experience with the cost of living will influence the vote, and Lula knows it."

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

If the prime minister does secure a majority, the stagnant wages, the weak yen and cost of living will be her most immediate and biggest challenges.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal predict the cost of living will show an increase of 0.4% in September.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 23, 2025

Judging by the present incidence of the disease, the American Cancer Society estimates that 45,000,000 Americans now living will eventually develop cancer.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson