death cap

noun

: a very poisonous mushroom (Amanita phalloides) of deciduous woods of North America and Europe that varies in color from pure white to olive or yellow and has a prominent volva at the base

called also death cup

Examples of death cap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The main question facing the jury: Did Patterson knowingly put death cap mushrooms in the dish with the intention of killing her guests? Rachel Treisman, NPR, 7 July 2025 According to the prosecution, Patterson prepared the meals with death cap mushrooms, which can lead to liver failure and death. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2025 Investigators said Erin Patterson looked up where to find death cap mushrooms near her home, traveled to the areas and purchased a food dehydrator to prepare the fungi. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025 Traces of a toxin present in death cap mushrooms had been discovered in the food, according to the outlet. Becca Longmire, People.com, 7 July 2025 Patterson, 50, was charged with murdering three relatives of her estranged husband by serving a beef Wellington laced with toxic death cap mushrooms over lunch in 2023, and attempting to murder a fourth. Britt Clennett, ABC News, 7 July 2025 The prosecution and defense agree death cap mushrooms were in the meal. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 21 June 2025 Analysis showed remnants of death cap mushrooms in the dehydrator, the prosecution said. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 21 June 2025 The Victorian government issued a warning in early 2023 that death cap mushrooms were growing in the region. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 7 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of death cap was in 1925

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Death cap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death%20cap. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

death cap

noun
: a very poisonous mushroom that varies in color from pure white to olive to yellow and has an obvious swollen covering about the base

called also death cup

Medical Definition

death cap

noun
: a very poisonous mushroom of the genus Amanita (A. phalloides) of deciduous woods of North America and Europe that varies in color from pure white to olive or yellow and has a prominent volva at the base

called also death cup

see thioctic acid
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