hospice

American  

[hos-pis] / ˈhɒs pɪs /

noun

hospices plural

1. a house of shelter or rest for pilgrims, strangers, etc., especially one kept by a religious order.

2. Medicine/Medical.

   1. 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.

   2. a similar program of care and support for the terminally ill at home or in a nursing home.

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hospice British  

/ ˈhɒspɪs /

noun

1. a nursing home that specializes in caring for the terminally ill

2. Also called: hospitium.  archaic a place of shelter for travellers, esp one kept by a monastic order

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• hospices
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hospice hospices

Prosecutors allege the scheme resulted in nearly $27.7 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for medically unnecessary hospice services, with Medicare paying about $26.9 million.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

Vince Moffitt, owner of Basin Health Companies in Farmington, N.M., says about 90% of his business, which includes home health, hospice, and caregiver services, is Medicaid focused.

From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026

His final three months were transformed by the care he received at a children's hospice, his parents Catherine and Jonathan have said.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

I doubt it works much better for voting than for hospice or unemployment programs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026

It had been a minute since I had hung out with anyone—since when my mother transferred to the hospice wing of the hospital.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

CMS also imposed a six-month nationwide freeze External link on new Medicare enrollments for hospices and home health agencies starting mid-May.

From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026

CMS also imposed a six-month nationwide freeze External link on new Medicare enrollments for hospices and home health agencies starting mid-May.

From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026

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

Ditto hundreds of hospices in California, many of which shared the same address and managing directors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026

The most famous hospices are those of the Great and Little St Bernard Passes in the Alps.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various

Related Words

• clinic
• emergency room
• health service
• infirmary
• nursing home
• sanitarium
• shelter
• ward