Since the publication of the O'Carroll et al. (1996) nomenclature for suicidology, there have been a number of published letters and articles, as well as an active e-mail dialogue, in response to, and elaborating upon, this effort to establish a standard nomenclature for suicidology. This new nomenclature has been presented on a number of occasions at both national and international meetings. In this paper the authors provide the background, rationale, and methodology involved in the process of revising the O'Carroll et al. nomenclature, based on the feedback and discussions that have ensued over the past 10 years. The publication of the O'Carroll et al. (1996) nomenclature sparked a revitalization in addressing the language of suicidology and its conceptual foundations. The Denver Veterans Administration VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Care (MIRECC) Nomenclature Workgroup reviewed the critiques and recommendations made in response to the O'Carroll et al. paper, and proceeded to address as many as possible in their revision. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)