# homicide

/ˈhɑməˌsaɪd/ (US) · /hˈɒmɪsˌaɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/homicide
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the act of killing

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the act of one person killing another person, whether it was planned or an accident.

For teachers: the killing of one human being by another. This is a broad legal category that includes both intentional murder and unintentional manslaughter.

- The police are investigating the death as a homicide because of the suspicious injuries.
- The coroner's report officially classified the cause of death as homicide, though the prosecutor has yet to determine the specific degree of the charge.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun for the general act or a countable noun for a specific case.

### 2. police department

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

the special department in a police force that investigates killings.

For teachers: the division or department within a law enforcement agency responsible for investigating deaths caused by others.

- He spent ten years working in homicide before being promoted to captain.
- Detectives from homicide arrived at the crime scene within minutes to secure the perimeter and begin their preliminary investigation.

Usage: Usually functions as an uncountable noun or a modifier, as in 'homicide detective'.

## Examples

- The police are investigating the death as a homicide.
- The detective was assigned to the homicide division after solving several high-profile murder cases in the city.
- While every murder is a homicide, not every homicide is a murder; legal systems distinguish between those involving criminal intent and those resulting from negligence or self-defense.

---

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.