Suicide Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Suicide, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Suicide?

(n) Suicide is defined as the act of killing oneself, with an intention to end his own life for whatever reason, with out any external influence and help. Suicide differ from accident where there is no intention to die. When death happens with the influence or support of others it is homicide

History and Meaning of Suicide

Suicide is a tragic and emotional act that has been around for centuries, and has been viewed and treated differently throughout history. Some cultures have seen it as honorable or noble, while others have seen it as a shameful or criminal act. In modern times, suicide is generally regarded as a mental health issue and a preventable cause of death. Suicide may result from a variety of complex factors, including mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma.

Examples of Suicide

  1. After suffering from severe depression for many years, John committed suicide by hanging himself in his bedroom.
  2. The family of Sarah have been struggling since her suicide, never having guessed that this would be the outcome after so many years of ongoing depression.
  3. The World Health Organization reports that one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.
  4. The famous singer, Kurt Cobain, died by suicide in 1994, leaving his fans and family in shock and grief.

Legal Terms Similar to Suicide

  1. Assisted Suicide - this refers to suicide with the help of another person, such as a doctor prescribing lethal medication to a terminally ill patient (known as "euthanasia").
  2. Self-harm - this refers to the act of intentionally hurting oneself, without the intention to die.
  3. Suicide attempt - a suicidal act that does not result in death.