homicide
noun
ho·mi·cide
ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd 
ˈhō-
ˈhō-
1
: a person who kills another
2
: a killing of one human being by another
detectives investigating a homicide
Examples of homicide in a Sentence
The number of homicides increased last year.
He has been arrested for homicide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kamp previously worked as a shift commander, gang enforcement sergeant and homicide detective for the Phoenix Police Department.
—
Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Information about homicides is released daily by the city of Chicago.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
After completing an autopsy, the Stark County Coroner’s Office determined that Tyson’s death was a homicide, WOIO reports.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
IndyStar is tracking homicides to better understand violence in the city.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for homicide 
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Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Information about homicides is released daily by the city of Chicago.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
After completing an autopsy, the Stark County Coroner’s Office determined that Tyson’s death was a homicide, WOIO reports.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
IndyStar is tracking homicides to better understand violence in the city.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for homicide
Dictionary Entries Near homicide
Cite this Entry
“Homicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homicide. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homicide
noun
ho·mi·cide
ˈhäm-ə-ˌsīd
ˈhō-mə-
ˈhō-mə-
: a killing of one human being by another
Etymology
Middle English homicide "the killing of a person," from early French homicide (same meaning), from Latin homicidium "the act of killing a man," from homo "man" and -cidium "the act of killing," from caedere "to kill, cut"
Medical Definition
homicide
noun
ho·mi·cide
ˈhäm-ə-ˌsīd
ˈhō-mə-
ˈhō-mə-
1
: a person who kills another
2
: a killing of one human being by another compare genocide
Legal Definition
homicide
noun
ho·mi·cide
ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd, ˈhō-
1
: a person who kills another
2
: the killing of one human being by another compare manslaughter, murder
—
criminal homicide
: homicide committed by a person with a criminal state of mind (as intentionally, with premeditation, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence)
—
deliberate homicide
: homicide caused purposely and knowingly
—used in Montana
—
excusable homicide
: homicide that is committed by accident or misfortune by a person doing a lawful act by lawful means with usual and ordinary caution and without any unlawful intent and that is excused under the law
also
: justifiable homicide in this entry
—
felonious homicide
: homicide committed without justification
—
homicide by misadventure
: homicide that occurs as the result of an accident caused by a person doing a lawful act with no unlawful intent
—
justifiable homicide
: homicide that is committed in self-defense, in defense of another and especially a member of one's family or sometimes in defense of a residence, in preventing a felony especially involving great bodily harm, or in performing a legal duty and that is justified under the law
also
: excusable homicide in this entry
—
negligent homicide
: homicide caused by a person's criminally negligent act
—
reckless homicide
: homicide caused by a person's reckless acts
Note: In Illinois, involuntary manslaughter committed by use of a motor vehicle is called reckless homicide.
—
vehicular homicide
\
vē-ˈhi-kyə-lər-
\
: homicide committed by the use of a vehicle (as an automobile or boat)
Etymology
Latin homicidium, from homo human being + caedere to cut, kill
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