death

noun \ ˈdeth \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of death

1 a : a permanent cessation of all vital (see vital 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

2 a : 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

5 a : 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.

See death defined for English-language learners

See death defined for kids

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 of death from the Web

At the time of her death, the longtime stalwart of the ruling party was a member of South Africa's parliament.

— CNN, "South Africa's Winnie Mandela to be laid to rest in state funeral," 14 Apr. 2018
Since their deaths, a disturbing timeline of abuse allegations against the Harts stretching back 10 years has emerged, including possible physical abuse and withholding of food as disciplinary measures.

— anne branigin, The Root, "Devonte Hart’s Biological Aunt Fought for Custody and Was Denied: Report," 13 Apr. 2018
The mother, who the station is choosing not identify by name at this point, reportedly just learned of her children's death.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Attorney: Taking Hart children from their biological family was "injustice"," 13 Apr. 2018
Many here had never heard of Franco before her death.

— janet tappin coelho, The Christian Science Monitor, "Mourning 'Marielle,' Brazilian women push to carry on slain activist's legacy," 13 Apr. 2018
Mason was accepted into the class of 2022 at the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music before his death.

— Essence.com, "Petition Created To Give Posthumous Music Degree To Austin Bombing Victim Draylen Mason," 12 Apr. 2018
After her death in Newport Beach in 1909, her husband sent her clothing back to Poland, but many of the clothing pieces were destroyed in World War II, Froehlich said.

— kathleen luppi, latimes.com, "UC Irvine exhibit spotlights Shakespearean stage costuming for women," 12 Apr. 2018
The agency did not disclose the cause of his death.

— bill laitner, Detroit Free Press, "Former Detroit judge, activist James Del Rio dies at age 94," 12 Apr. 2018
Charito Morales’s story of moving to Philadelphia from Puerto Rico in search of her brother and how his death spurred her personal war on the city’s opioid epidemic is nothing short of heroic.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Philly ICE ramps up arrests, two more accuse Hopkins of assault | Morning Newsletter," 12 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of death

Middle English deeth, from Old English dēath; akin to Old Norse dauthi death, deyja to die — more at die

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

death Synonyms

DEATH Defined for English Language Learners

death

noun

Definition of death for English Language Learners

: 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

DEATH Defined for Kids

death

noun \ ˈdeth \

Definition of death for Students

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 : ²ruin 1, extinction

DVDs meant the death of videotape.

—

deathlike

\-ˌlīk\ adjective

— to death

: ¹very 1, extremely

We were scared to death.

Medical Dictionary

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