homicide

noun

ho·​mi·​cide ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd How to pronounce homicide (audio) ˈhō- How to pronounce homicide (audio)
Synonyms of homicidenext
1
: a person who kills another
2
: a killing of one human being by another
detectives investigating a homicide

Synonyms of homicide

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Examples of homicide in a Sentence

The number of homicides increased last year. He has been arrested for homicide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Miller was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of double homicide. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Smith dealt with consistent criticism related to racial discrimination, excessive use-of-force by officers, officer accountability and a high homicide rate. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Swain was shot during a botched hit on a witness to another homicide, prosecutors said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 July 2026 By the time Blake went on trial, nearly a decade had passed since Simpson’s acquittal for double homicide, but for prosecutors and detectives, the humiliation was fresh. — Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for homicide

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin homicida, from homo human being + -cida -cide; in sense 2, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin homicidium, from homo + -cidium -cide

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of homicide was in the 14th century

Rhymes for homicide

See All Rhymes for homicide

Browse Nearby Words

homicidal
homicide
homicidious
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Cite this Entry

“Homicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homicide. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

homicide

noun
ho·​mi·​cide ˈhäm-ə-ˌsīd How to pronounce homicide (audio) ˈhō-mə- How to pronounce homicide (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce homicide (audio) ˈhō-mə- How to pronounce homicide (audio)
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- How to pronounce homicide (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on homicide

Nglish: Translation of homicide for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homicide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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