terminal illness

American  

[tur-muh-nl il-nis] / ˈtɜr mə nl ˈɪl nɪs /

Sometimes life-limiting illness

noun

1. a disease or condition that cannot be cured and will almost certainly lead to death.

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Etymology

Origin of terminal illness

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Here’s another one: Ryusuke Hamaguchi, whose roving “Drive My Car” surprised everyone, is back with a sad-sounding movie about terminal illness, “All of a Sudden.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Michael Campbell, also known as Michael Patrick, was diagnosed with the terminal illness in February 2023 and died on Tuesday at NI Hospice.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

"We changed it so that at the start of the play Richard gets news that he's got a terminal illness, something like MND that's going to get worse," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Jurisdictions that initially limit assisted suicide to terminal illness face pressure to expand access to chronic conditions or psychological suffering.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

I think most people with a terminal illness have struggled with this.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott