This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
euthanasia
[ yoo-thuh-ney-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh ]
/ ˌyu θəˈneɪ ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of euthanasia
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, adjectiveWords nearby euthanasia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use euthanasia in a sentence
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.