: 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
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 WebHis second wife, Linda, remained by his side as Dawson entered hospice care. Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Len Dawson died on Wednesday at the age of 87, after entering hospice care earlier this month. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022 His second wife, Linda, remained by his side as Dawson entered hospice care.CBS News, 24 Aug. 2022 Dow died at his home in Topanga, California, while receiving hospice care. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 27 July 2022 Most costs are incurred in the first and last week of hospice care. Markian Hawryluk, Fortune, 27 July 2022 Dow revealed in May he had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving hospice care this week, according to his son. Scottie Andrew, CNN, 27 July 2022 Dad is at home, under hospice care, and in his last hours. Diana Dasrath, NBC News, 27 July 2022 Lauren Dow also confirmed to CBS that her husband is still alive and breathing, but is in hospice care. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2022 See More
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 3