living will


noun

a document instructing physicians, relatives, or others to refrain from the use of extraordinary measures, as life-support equipment, to prolong one's life in the event of a terminal illness.

Origin of living will

First recorded in 1970–75

British Dictionary definitions for living will

living will

noun

a document stating that if its author becomes terminally ill, his or her life should not be prolonged by artificial means, such as a life-support machine

Medical definitions for living will

living will
[ lĭvĭng ]

n.

A will in which the signer requests not to be kept alive by medical life-support systems in the event of a terminal illness.