dead on arrival

phrase

: having died before getting to a hospital, emergency room, etc.

The victim was dead on arrival at the hospital.

—often used figuratively

The bill was dead on arrival in the Senate.

Examples of dead on arrival in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An official who arrived on the scene reportedly said Satterley was dead on arrival. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Roa-Syrock was taken to Mercy San Juan Medical Center, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2026

Jaxon was declared dead on arrival at Paphos General Hospital shortly after the fall. — Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026

Two good ideas from Republicans dead on arrival in Democratic Legislature, Capitol Journal Columnist George Skelton writes. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dead on arrival

• subconjunctival
• archival
• revival
• survival
• conjunctival
• rival