palliative care

American

noun

medical care focused on improving the quality of life of patients with serious illnesses, as by treating symptoms and providing emotional support.

Etymology

Origin of palliative care

First recorded in 1965–70

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.

Palliative care and public-health doctor Dr Lucy Thomas said assisted dying was a last resort, and that choosing to end your life was not a "straightforward consumer decision".

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2024

Palliative care physicians specialize in easing suffering—their job is to support patients and their families as they manage serious illnesses.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2020

Palliative care is additive—an extra layer of support—and it can serve an essential function in the experiences of patients and their families.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 18, 2019

Palliative care has value for patients and oncologists, yet the nexus between oncology and palliative care remains weak in many places due to a lack of education, collaboration and resources.

From The Guardian • Sep. 12, 2017

Palliative care specialists need the opposite skill set: They have to know how to help a dying person let go.

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2017

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