noun
homicide
HOM-ih-syd
noun
1
The killing of one person by another, whether it was planned or accidental.
"The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide."
"Detectives were called in after the homicide near the harbor."
2
The police division that investigates killings.
"She was transferred to homicide after ten years in narcotics."
How to Use Homicide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe general legal term for one person killing another — it covers everything from murder to accidental killing.
Common mistake
Homicide is a neutral, factual term; it doesn't by itself mean the killing was illegal — murder and manslaughter are specific types of homicide.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
justifiable homicide
homicide investigation
homicide detective
homicide rate
Word Forms
homicides plural
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Etymology
From Old French homicide, ultimately from Latin homicida ("man-killer") and homicidium ("manslaughter").