# euthanasia

/ˌjuθəˈneɪʒə/ (US) · /jˌuːθɐnˈeɪziə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/euthanasia
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. mercy killing

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the act of ending the life of a person or animal who is very sick and in pain, so they do not suffer anymore.

For teachers: the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering, often in the context of terminal illness. Uncountable in general usage.

- The country is currently debating whether to make euthanasia legal for patients with no hope of recovery.
- Ethical debates surrounding euthanasia often focus on the tension between the sanctity of life and the right to personal autonomy in terminal cases.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'perform', 'legalize', or 'practice'.

### 2. putting an animal down

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the act of painlessly killing an animal that is very old or badly injured.

For teachers: the humane termination of an animal's life, typically performed by a veterinarian to end incurable distress.

- The vet suggested euthanasia because the dog was in too much pain to walk.
- The shelter had to consider euthanasia for the injured horse after the surgeons determined the leg fracture was irreparable.

### 3. historical euphemism

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

a word used in history, especially by the Nazis, to hide the murder of disabled people.

For teachers: a euphemistic term used historically, specifically within the Third Reich, to refer to the systematic killing of those deemed a liability to society.

- In history class, we learned how the regime used the word euthanasia to hide their crimes.
- Historians distinguish between modern medical ethics and the state-sponsored 'euthanasia' programmes that targeted vulnerable populations during the mid-twentieth century.

Teaching tip: When discussing the Holocaust or Nazi Germany, this term is used to describe state-mandated murder and should be treated with extreme sensitivity.

## Examples

- The country debated the ethics of euthanasia for months.
- Medical professionals often face complex moral dilemmas when patients request euthanasia to avoid the final stages of a terminal disease.
- Legislative bodies worldwide remain deeply divided over euthanasia, balancing the principle of individual autonomy against the state's interest in protecting the sanctity of life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.