euthanasia
noun
Did you know?
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
Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025
Taylor even met Violet at the vet's office to be there with her through the euthanasia process.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
This may help take the pressure off an overcrowded shelter and save animals from euthanasia.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Crescent Duck Farm President Doug Corwin told local station WABC-TV that the mass euthanasia was particularly devastating as Long Island used to be known for its extensive duck farming industry and the business is the largest major commercial duck farm in Suffolk County.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 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 16 May. 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
Share