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

Patterson, now 52, was found guilty last July after a jury trial that attracted international attention due to the unusual method of murder – death cap mushrooms hidden inside portions of beef wellington at a family lunch in July 2023. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

The show is based on the now-infamous case of Erin Patterson, the Australian woman who was convicted on multiple counts of murder and attempted murder after allegedly preparing food for guests containing toxic death cap mushrooms. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026

Unbeknownst to her guests, Patterson allegedly prepared the food with highly toxic death cap mushrooms, resulting in the deaths of three guests. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Central District Health said death cap mushrooms have been spotted at several Greenbelt locations in Boise and Garden City. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for death cap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

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