homicide
word
Definition
The killing of one person by another person. It is a legal and formal term that can include both unlawful killing and, in some contexts, killing that is not treated as a crime.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly used in legal, police, and news contexts, not in everyday casual speech. 'Homicide' is broader than 'murder': 'murder' always means unlawful intentional killing, while 'homicide' can be neutral as a legal category. Common collocations: 'homicide investigation', 'homicide detective', 'ruled a homicide'.
Example Sentences
The police said the case was a homicide.
basic
They are investigating a homicide in the city center.
basic
The doctor reported the death as a possible homicide.
basic
At first everyone thought it was an accident, but now detectives are treating it as a homicide.
natural
The reporter asked whether the death had officially been ruled a homicide.
natural
Once the case became a homicide investigation, the whole neighborhood got nervous.
natural