manslaughter
noun
man·slaugh·ter
ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər 
: the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice
Examples of manslaughter in a Sentence
She was convicted of manslaughter for driving while drunk and killing three people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeremiah faces a second-degree felony manslaughter charge, while Landrey is charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a third-degree felony charge, jail records show.
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Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Johnson’s boyfriend, 21-year-old Saleh Ceesay, who lives about 2 miles away, was arrested with her at the scene and is also facing murder and manslaughter charges.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Murders and nonnegligent manslaughters dropped by more than 66% in the time frame, with four reports in 2025 compared to 12 a year earlier.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors ultimately charged Read, 45, with second-degree murder, manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manslaughter
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Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Johnson’s boyfriend, 21-year-old Saleh Ceesay, who lives about 2 miles away, was arrested with her at the scene and is also facing murder and manslaughter charges.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
Murders and nonnegligent manslaughters dropped by more than 66% in the time frame, with four reports in 2025 compared to 12 a year earlier.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors ultimately charged Read, 45, with second-degree murder, manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manslaughter
Cite this Entry
“Manslaughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manslaughter. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
manslaughter
noun
man·slaugh·ter
ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər
: the unlawful killing of a person without the intention to do so
Medical Definition
manslaughter
noun
man·slaugh·ter
ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər
: the slaying of a human being
specifically
: the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice
Legal Definition
manslaughter
noun
man·slaugh·ter
ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər
: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice compare homicide, murder
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involuntary manslaughter
: manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act involving a risk of injury or death that is done in an unlawful, reckless, or grossly negligent manner see also reckless homicide at homicide
Note: The exact formulation of the elements of involuntary manslaughter vary from state to state especially with regard to the level of negligence required. In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, involuntary manslaughter is usually graded as a second- or third-degree offense.
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misdemeanor-manslaughter
: involuntary manslaughter occurring during the commission of a misdemeanor compare felony murder at murder
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voluntary manslaughter
: manslaughter resulting from an intentional act done without malice or premeditation and while in the heat of passion or on sudden provocation
Note: In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, voluntary manslaughter is usually a first-degree offense.
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