homicide

noun

ho·​mi·​cide ˈhä-mə-ˌsīd  ˈhō- 

1

: a person who kills another

2

: a killing of one human being by another

detectives investigating a homicide

Synonyms

• blood
• foul play
• murder
• rubout
• slaying

Examples of homicide in a Sentence

The number of homicides increased last year.

He has been arrested for homicide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Officer Anthony Gamble, a department spokesperson, said that victim was in critical condition and that homicide detectives were investigating the scene. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2025

The man was accused of strangling his 61-year-old victim and hitting the man’s head against the ground near a gas station on Washington Street near Fourth Avenue shortly before 5 p.m., San Diego homicide Lt. Lou Maggi said in a news release. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025

Thornton police on Friday night confirmed the deaths were homicides and said detectives were still working to gather information about a suspect. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025

Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the department’s homicide bureau at [phone]. —Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for homicide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

Kids Definition

homicide

noun

ho·​mi·​cide ˈhäm-ə-ˌsīd  ˈhō-mə- 

: 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  ˈhō-mə- 

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- 

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