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

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

This is generally considered to be a chronic condition rather than a terminal illness.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Some 20,000 adults and children affected by terminal illness receive support from hospices each year and Welsh hospices have 95 inpatient beds, although some might not be in use because of funding and staffing.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

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

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott