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Synonyms

hospice

American  
[hos-pis] / ˈhɒs pɪs /

noun

  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.

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of hospice

First recorded in 1810–20; from French, from Latin hospitium “hospitable reception, entertainment”; hospitium

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The girls’ mother has been battling Stage 4 brain cancer and is in hospice with only a short time left to live.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The hospice needs to raise £9m every year for a range of projects, including the ongoing refurbishment to create a new in-patient ward and Living Well area.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

These sessions are part of free Living Well activities at the Pembury hospice, which plans to mark 10 years since the programme started by auctioning a piece of art made by participants.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Taylor died Monday in hospice care, according to Page Six, citing Taylor’s longtime friend, producer Billy Vera.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

The hospice physician then walked further down the hall to what I assumed was my father’s room.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.