death

noun

\ ˈdeth

Definition of death

1a : a permanent cessation of all vital (see vital sense 2a) functions : the end of life The cause of death has not been determined. managed to escape death prisoners were put to death death threats — compare brain death

b : an instance of dying a disease causing many deaths lived there until her death

2a : the cause or occasion of loss of life drinking was the death of him

b : a cause of ruin the slander that was death to my character— Wilkie Collins The drought was death to the farm.

3 capitalized, folklore : the destroyer of life represented usually as a skeleton with a scythe when death comes to take me away

4 : the state of being no longer alive : the state of being dead

5a : the passing or destruction of something inanimate the death of vaudeville

b : extinction the death of the dinosaurs

6 law : civil death

7 : slaughter death and destruction

8 Christian Science : the lie of life in matter : that which is unreal and untrue

at death's door

: close to death : critically ill

to death

: beyond endurance : excessively bored to death scared to death of spiders I am sick to death of hearing your excuses. Most high rollers prefer Atlantic City and Las Vegas, where they are comped to death and have more diversions.— William G. Flanagan et al.

Other Words from death Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about death

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Examples of death in a Sentence

birth, life, and eventual death The newspaper did not report the cause of death. People around the world mourned his death. The accident resulted in two deaths. The number of deaths from cancer is rising. He died a violent death. There has been a death in the family. The general met his death on the battlefield. the death of a marriage Death could be seen lurking in the corner of the painting.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a touching piece, The Greenville News reported how the town of Ware Shoals (with a population of 2,170 in the 2010 census) has come together following her death. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "A Small Town in South Carolina Mourns the Prom Night Death of Trinity Harrison," 11 Apr. 2019 Her untimely death at age 24 resulted in another chemist, Arthur Dean, taking credit for her work. — Jill Kiedaisch, Popular Mechanics, "32 Women Who’ve Changed Life As We Know It," 31 Mar. 2019 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. — Morin Bishop, Woman's Day, "What’s an Easter Sunrise Service? Here's Everything You Need to Know," 22 Mar. 2019 Two weeks after her death, the late singer's friends and family hosted a ceremony to celebrate her life and streamed it live on Facebook. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Miley Cyrus Breaks Down While Honoring 'The Voice' Alum Janice Freeman at Her Memorial," 19 Mar. 2019 His sister had died unexpectedly seven years earlier, so Ben's death left the three children without parents. — Tamara Fuentes, Country Living, "Luke Bryan and His Wife Caroline Boyer Have the Most Relatable Love Story," 28 Mar. 2019 The characters on Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists are still reeling from Nolan Hotchkiss' death. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "All the People Who Could've Killed Nolan Hotchkiss on "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists"," 28 Mar. 2019 Oklahoma recorded about 400 opioid deaths that year. — Geoff Mulvihill, The Seattle Times, "Maker of OxyContin agrees to $270M settlement in Oklahoma," 27 Mar. 2019 Fans have since responded with their own versions, including an ode to members of American Horror Story: Coven who have passed (even if those deaths are occasionally temporary). — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "New "Avengers: End Game" Posters Are Being Turned Into Viral Memes," 27 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'death.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near death

death's-head hawk moth

death's-herb

Statistics for death

Last Updated

16 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for death

The first known use of death was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for death

death

noun

English Language Learners Definition of death

: the end of life : the time when someone or something dies

: the ending of a particular person's life

: the permanent end of something that is not alive : the ruin or destruction of something

See the full definition for death in the English Language Learners Dictionary

death

noun

\ ˈdeth

Kids Definition of death

1 : the end or ending of life

2 : the cause of loss of life Drinking will be the death of him.

3 : the state of being dead He was more famous in death than in life.

4 : ruin entry 2 sense 1, extinction DVDs meant the death of videotape.

to death

: very entry 1 sense 1, extremely We were scared to death.

death

noun

\ ˈdeth

Medical Definition of death

1 : the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity : the end of life — see brain death

2 : the cause or occasion of loss of life drinking was the death of him

3 : the state of being dead in death as in life