Hospice - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT hospice /ˈhɑspəs/ /ˈhɒspɪs/ IPA guide

Other forms: hospices

If someone has entered into a hospice, his health outlook is likely grim. Hospice care is a program designed to make the process of dying as comfortable as possible for patients and their families.

The word hospice comes from the Latin hospitum, meaning "guest house, hospitality." Hospice traditionally meant lodging for travelers, often run by a religious order like a church or monastery. While we most commonly see the word hospice used to describe the particular care provided to people who are dying, the term is not strictly limited to this. A hospice can also be a place that takes care of the sick, not necessarily only the terminally ill.

Definitions of hospice

noun a lodging for travelers (especially one kept by a monastic order) see moresee less type of: housing, living accommodations, lodging structures collectively in which people are housed
noun a program of medical and emotional care for the terminally ill see moresee less type of: medical aid, medical care professional treatment for illness or injury

Pronunciation US /ˈhɑspəs/ UK /ˈhɒspɪs/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘hospice'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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