living will

American  

noun

1. a document instructing physicians, relatives, or others to refrain from the use of extraordinary measures, as life-support equipment, to prolong one's life in the event of a terminal illness.

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living will British  

noun

1. a document stating that if its author becomes terminally ill, his or her life should not be prolonged by artificial means, such as a life-support machine

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Etymology

Origin of living will

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Mariano Machado, an analyst at the consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft, warned that "any gap between the macroeconomic situation and voters' everyday experience with the cost of living will influence the vote, and Lula knows it."

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Across the world, the rising cost of living will likely translate into frustrated voters looking to take it out on incumbent parties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

But I was on point with let’s go get a living will and trust.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

A living will and/or living trust can also provide additional instructions.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 27, 2025

Soon after, the swollen ocean will swallow the ashes as it washes across all the land, and everything living will be forgotten under the sunless sky.

From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman