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

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 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

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

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott