advance directive

American  

noun

1. a living will or durable power of attorney in which a person states their wishes regarding medical treatment in the event of mental incompetency or an inability to communicate.

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advance directive British  

noun

1. another name for living will

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Etymology

Origin of advance directive

First recorded in 1980–85

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

For example, just 37% of solo agers 50 and older have a medical durable power of attorney or advance directive, according to the Society of Actuaries.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 21, 2026

Without a will or advance directive, his only living immediate relative, his brother, had signed a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment agreement with two doctors to transition him off of life support.

From Slate • Dec. 8, 2025

And like Washington, many states have struggled to implement their psychiatric advance directive laws.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 18, 2024

CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, has guides and resources to help clarify the difference between hospice and palliative care or what you need to create an advance directive.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2023