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living will
noun
: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means if disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery compare advance directive
Examples of living will in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Clarissa Desmond and Adrian Dawn, a married couple from Independence, Kentucky, came to fill out living wills, last wills and durable power of attorney forms.
—Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 24 Nov. 2024
The good news is inflation, which is the rate of increase of the cost of living will come down.
—CBS News, 3 Nov. 2024
In the future, more natural living will also mean healthier living.
—Lauren Gallow, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024
All these wishes should be executed through a durable power of attorney form and what is sometimes called an advance health directive or living will.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 20 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1969, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near living will
Cite this Entry
“Living will.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/living%20will. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
living will
noun
: a document in which the signer requests to be allowed to die rather than be kept alive by artificial means in the event of becoming disabled beyond a reasonable expectation of recovery see advance directive
Legal Definition
living will
noun
liv·ing will
: a document in which the signer indicates preferences or directions for the administration and especially the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment in the event of terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness see also advance directive compare health care power of attorney at power of attorney
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