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
Sheriff’s homicide detectives were investigating after a man was found dead early Tuesday in an East County apartment, authorities said.
—
City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
In a high-profile homicide case that could carry the death penalty in Utah, legal practitioners say careful control of investigative details is standard practice to protect defendants' Sixth Amendment rights and the integrity of the trial process.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The motive and circumstances surrounding the homicide are under investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Tipantuna Quinchiguano, 32, of Minneapolis, reached an agreement with Ramsey County prosecutors, admitting to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide for driving in a grossly negligent manner.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homicide
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City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
In a high-profile homicide case that could carry the death penalty in Utah, legal practitioners say careful control of investigative details is standard practice to protect defendants' Sixth Amendment rights and the integrity of the trial process.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The motive and circumstances surrounding the homicide are under investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Tipantuna Quinchiguano, 32, of Minneapolis, reached an agreement with Ramsey County prosecutors, admitting to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide for driving in a grossly negligent manner.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for homicide
Cite this Entry
“Homicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homicide. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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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