death

\ 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 Police are currently waiting for the medical examiner to determine the cause of death. — Fox News, "Suspect, 14, in custody in death of well-known animal rescuer found tied to bed: police," 9 Nov. 2019 Coroner’s officials have scheduled an autopsy to determine the man’s cause and manner of death. — Lauren Hernández, SFChronicle.com, "Coroner’s office working to identify man’s remains found in Pittsburg park," 8 Nov. 2019 Alzheimer’s Disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and affects millions of Americans — as well as their caregivers — each year. — David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Congressman Andy Harris gives hope for Alzheimer’s cure, citing greater federal funding, in visit to Bel Air," 7 Nov. 2019 People who at times seemed almost preternaturally indifferent to the probability of death would at other times revert to outright panic at the blast of an IED. — David French, National Review, "Inside the Rise and Fall of ISIS’s Caliphate," 7 Nov. 2019 There is a mental health crisis in America; among comparable countries, the U.S. has the highest rate of death from mental health and substance use disorders. — USA TODAY, "2020 election: Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer shares his views on current issues," 7 Nov. 2019 But the Chinese residents of Singapore in large part moved past a shared taboo against cremation, and religious leaders may choose to shift their thinking toward the rites of death as the cemetery crisis worsens. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Extreme Weather Could Wreak Havoc on Cemeteries," 7 Nov. 2019 There are no signs of foul play, and the cause of death was determined to be accidental, according to the release. — Mike Cruz, azcentral, "Show Low man found dead in national forest with injuries from falling tree he had cut," 7 Nov. 2019 An autopsy later revealed that the cause of death was homicide by asphyxia and suffocation. — Helen Murphy, PEOPLE.com, "Woman Charged with Murder 23 Years After Baby Girl Was Found Dead in a Trash Bag in Colorado," 6 Nov. 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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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

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death

noun