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

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 hope Mr. Sasse’s public and courageous reflections on his terminal illness will help to compel the FDA to overhaul its dysfunctional drug approval protocols for rare diseases and more broadly.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

These included raising the age for eligibility for an assisted death from 16 to 18 and clarifying that a disability or mental health condition alone would not constitute terminal illness.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

But behind the scenes this 27-year-old bride was dealing with terminal illness, made more stressful by a pensions struggle with her former employer.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

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

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott