brain death

noun

: final cessation of activity in the central nervous system especially as indicated by a flat electroencephalogram for a predetermined length of time

Examples of brain death in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hospitals are not required to obtain family consent before conducting brain death testing, according to the Texas Tribune. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

Texas law defines brain death as the irreversible cessation of brain function. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Per the court documents as reported by KRIV, Annelise's family and Texas Children's then agreed to allow brain death testing to continue along with her supportive care until a June 11 hearing. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Washington’s brain death was confirmed the next day at a hospital. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for brain death

• beth
• breath
• heth
• lethe
• meth
• neath
• seth
• sheth
• sneath
• shibboleth

Kids Definition

brain death

noun

: the final stopping of activity in the central nervous system as indicated by an electroencephalogram showing no brain waves for a set length of time that is often used as a criterion for human death

brain-dead

ˈbrān-ˌded

adjective

Medical Definition

brain death

noun

: final cessation of activity in the central nervous system especially as indicated by a flat electroencephalogram for a predetermined length of time

brain-dead adjective

Legal Definition

brain death

noun

ˈbrān-ˌdeth

: the final stopping of activity in the central nervous system especially as indicated by a flat electroencephalogram for a usually statutorily predetermined period of time

brain-dead

ˈbrān-ˌded 

adjective