euthanasia

[ yoo-thuh-ney-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh ]

/ ˌyu θəˈneɪ ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə /

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noun

Also called mercy killing. the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition.

painless death.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of euthanasia

1640–50; <New Latin <Greek euthanasía an easy death, equivalent to eu-eu- + thánat(os) death + -ia-y³

OTHER WORDS FROM euthanasia

eu·tha·na·si·ast

[yoo-thuh-ney-zee-ast], /ˌyu θəˈneɪ ziˌæst/, nouneu·tha·na·sic

[yoo-thuh-ney-zik], /ˌyu θəˈneɪ zɪk/, adjectivepro·eu·tha·na·sia, adjective

Words nearby euthanasia

eutaxia, eutaxy, eutectic, eutectoid, Euterpe, euthanasia, euthanize, euthanized, euthenics, eutherian, euthermic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use euthanasia in a sentence

Instead of increasing the penalty, it moved to decriminalize euthanasia — becoming the only country to do so on the basis of constitutional arguments, Díaz said.
She’s 51, a mother and a devout Catholic. She plans to die by euthanasia on Sunday.|Samantha Schmidt, Diana Durán|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
In Peru this year, Lima’s superior court ruled that a woman with polymyositis should be permitted to die by euthanasia when she decides she is ready.
She’s 51, a mother and a devout Catholic. She plans to die by euthanasia on Sunday.|Samantha Schmidt, Diana Durán|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
On Sunday, Sepúlveda, who considers herself a devout Catholic, plans to become the first person in Colombia without a terminal prognosis to die by legally authorized euthanasia.
She’s 51, a mother and a devout Catholic. She plans to die by euthanasia on Sunday.|Samantha Schmidt, Diana Durán|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
She told the outlet that she didn’t consent to the euthanasia.
A Chinese city cited Covid-zero policy to justify euthanizing three Covid-positive cats|Jane Li|September 29, 2021|Quartz

It can be expensive One drawback is that at-home euthanasia costs more.
How at-home euthanasia can provide comfort to pets and owners|Kathryn Streeter|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
In its own press release, the clinic says: “The figures over 2013 show a strong growth of euthanasia in these groups.”
The Dutch Debate Doctor-Assisted Suicide For Depression|Nadette De Visser|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Just a few weeks ago, Belgium broadened its existing law to include the possibility of euthanasia for children of all ages.
The Dutch Debate Doctor-Assisted Suicide For Depression|Nadette De Visser|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last year 749 people came to the Life-Ending Clinic with a euthanasia request, of which 133 were granted.
The Dutch Debate Doctor-Assisted Suicide For Depression|Nadette De Visser|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Particularly disturbing, however, is that the reasoning behind this cult of euthanasia is thoroughly sound.
Preventing Suffering Through Promoting Death|Ryan Prior|April 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They define "no-kill" as a euthanasia rate of not more than 10 per cent.
PETA Kills Bunnies (Updated with PETA Response)|Ryan Prior|March 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The sequel was in the same taste and style, and ended with the euthanasia of all similar representations, a hearty dinner.
Account of a Tour in Normandy, Vol. I. (of 2)|Dawson Turner
Obviously the cure is the elimination of that sixth woman, preferably by euthanasia.
'Oh, Well, You Know How Women Are!' AND 'Isn't That Just Like a Man!'|Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb
It was here that one enthusiast achieved a fisherman's euthanasia, for he dropped dead suddenly in the very act of playing a fish.
Connaught|Stephen Lucius Gwynn
The Euthanasia Company had rarely been called by a client in a greater hurry.
Tales of Space and Time|Herbert George Wells
To the mind of the orthodox Hindu there is no such thing as euthanasia, and it is impious to attempt to bring it about.
Beast and Man in India|John Lockwood Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for euthanasia

euthanasia

/ (ˌjuːθəˈneɪzɪə) /

noun

the act of killing someone painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illnessAlso called: mercy killing

Word Origin for euthanasia

C17: via New Latin from Greek: easy death, from eu- + thanatos death

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for euthanasia

euthanasia

[ yōō′thə-nā′zhə ]

The act or practice of painlessly ending the life of an animal or a willing individual who has a terminal illness or incurable condition, as by giving a lethal drug.

Cultural definitions for euthanasia

euthanasia

[ (yooh-thuh-nay-zhuh) ]

Painlessly putting someone to death — usually someone with an incurable and painful disease; mercy killing.

notes for euthanasia

Proposals to make euthanasia legal in the United States have inspired heated debate.

euthanasia

Origin of euthanasia

OTHER WORDS FROM euthanasia

Words nearby euthanasia

Words related to euthanasia

How to use euthanasia in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for euthanasia

Word Origin for euthanasia

Scientific definitions for euthanasia

Cultural definitions for euthanasia

notes for euthanasia