hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhä-spəs 

1

: a lodging for travelers, young persons, or the underprivileged especially when maintained by a religious order

2

: a program designed to provide palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in a home or homelike setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care

also : a facility that provides such a program

Synonyms

• auberge
• caravansary
• caravanserai
• hostel
• hostelry
• hotel
• inn
• lodge
• public house
• tavern

Examples of hospice in a Sentence

She chose to go to a hospice instead of a hospital.

the monks run a hospice for travelers in their mountain retreat

Recent Examples on the Web

The late singer had reportedly entered hospice care earlier in the week, Saving Country Music reported. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 10 May 2025

The late Mexican-American singer had entered hospice care earlier in the week, according to Saving Country Music. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 10 May 2025

Rodriguez died on Friday after entering hospice care. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 10 May 2025

The three-story medical center, one floor for rehabilitation, one for medical treatment and the other for hospice care, opened in October. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French hospise, borrowed from Medieval Latin hospitium "hospitality, lodgings, monastic guesthouse, shelter maintained by a religious order for the poor and infirm," going back to Latin,"accommodation of guests, hired lodgings," from hospit-, hospes "guest, host" + -ium, denominal suffix of function or occupation — more at host entry 1

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhäs-pəs 

1

: an inn for travelers

especially : one kept by a religious order

2

: a place or program for caring for dying persons

Medical Definition

hospice

noun

hos·​pice ˈhäs-pəs 

: a facility or program designed to provide palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in a home or homelike setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care