euthanasia
noun
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Where does euthanasia come from?
Euthanasia is a mass noun (or noncount noun), that is, a noun used only in the singular form.
The word comes from the Greek euthanatos, which means “easy death.” In English, euthanasia has been used in exactly this sense since the early seventeenth century, when Francis Bacon described the phenomenon as “after the fashion and semblance of a kindly & pleasant sleepe.” Nowadays, the word usually refers to the means of attaining such a death.
Examples of euthanasia in a Sentence
Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2025
Suicide and euthanasia are never morally acceptable options.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2025
Around 369,000 animals experienced non-live outcomes—including euthanasia, death in care, and being lost in care—in the first half of 2024, a slight decrease of 5 percent compared to 2023.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Gamble shared that when the veterinarian came to her home to perform the euthanasia, her mother, also known as Sundae's beloved grandmother, was there to offer support.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for euthanasia
Cite this Entry
“Euthanasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euthanasia. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
euthanasia
noun
called also mercy killing
Medical Definition
euthanasia
noun
called also mercy killing
Legal Definition
euthanasia
noun
called also mercy killing
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