manslaughter

noun

man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
: the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

Examples of manslaughter in a Sentence

She was convicted of manslaughter for driving while drunk and killing three people.
Recent Examples on the Web Related article Jurors found a school shooter’s mother guilty of manslaughter. Lauren Del Valle, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Elena Marie Rodriguez, 18, was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter and leaving the scene of a July 2022 accident. The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 Gutierrez Reed was the first person to stand trial in the Oct. 21, 2021, shooting on the film set at the Bonanza Creek Ranch outside Santa Fe, N.M. Alec Baldwin is set to face his own manslaughter trial in July. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 For instance, in the 2020 case, the dealer ended up being convicted of manslaughter. Scooty Nickerson, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Pilot of packed boat that sank in English Channel convicted of manslaughter More Camilo Montoya-Galvez Camilo Montoya-Galvez is the immigration reporter at CBS News. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 29 Feb. 2024 The jury is being asked to determine whether Grossman is guilty of two counts of murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and one count of hit and run resulting in death. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Lopez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon, officials said. Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 The suspect was charged in January with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident, court records revealed, The Mercury News reported on Tuesday. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'manslaughter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manslaughter was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near manslaughter

Cite this Entry

“Manslaughter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manslaughter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

manslaughter

noun
man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
: the unlawful killing of a person without the intention to do so

Medical Definition

manslaughter

noun
man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯt-ər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
: the slaying of a human being
specifically : the unlawful killing of a human being without express or implied malice

Legal Definition

manslaughter

noun
man·​slaugh·​ter ˈman-ˌslȯ-tər How to pronounce manslaughter (audio)
: the unlawful killing of a human being without malice compare homicide, murder
involuntary manslaughter
: manslaughter resulting from the failure to perform a legal duty expressly required to safeguard human life, from the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony, or from the commission of a lawful act involving a risk of injury or death that is done in an unlawful, reckless, or grossly negligent manner see also reckless homicide at homicide

Note: The exact formulation of the elements of involuntary manslaughter vary from state to state especially with regard to the level of negligence required. In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, involuntary manslaughter is usually graded as a second- or third-degree offense.

misdemeanor-manslaughter
: involuntary manslaughter occurring during the commission of a misdemeanor compare felony murder at murder
voluntary manslaughter
: manslaughter resulting from an intentional act done without malice or premeditation and while in the heat of passion or on sudden provocation

Note: In states that grade manslaughter by degrees, voluntary manslaughter is usually a first-degree offense.

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