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
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Those posts include animals whose primary reason for euthanasia is the lack of space in the shelter.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025
Biosecurity measures include euthanasia of poultry, limiting the movement of cattle, and equipping farm workers with personal protective equipment.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Colorado’s Commissioner of Agriculture on Friday suspended the license of an Englewood animal rescue that took in a rabies-positive puppy last year, resulting in the forced euthanasia of a dozen dogs.
—Max Levy, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 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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