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.
The Police Department is investigating the shooting as a homicide. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026 Sheriff’s officials said the detectives later identified Morales Garcia, Farfan Ambriz and Medina as suspects in the homicide and obtained arrest warrants for them. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 An Anthropic artificial intelligence model submitted a false tip to a Philadelphia police website about an unsolved homicide case, authorities and Anthropic said. — Mae Anderson, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Eric Lewis, 35, is being charged with homicide for Seiber’s killing, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Saturday afternoon. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 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

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Browse Nearby Words

homicidal
homicide
homicidious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Homicide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homicide. Accessed 14 Oct. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homicide

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