demise

1 of 2

noun

de·​mise di-ˈmīz How to pronounce demise (audio)
1
a
: death
b
: a cessation of existence or activity
c
: a loss of position or status
2
: the conveyance of an estate
3
: transfer of the sovereignty to a successor

demise

2 of 2

verb

demised; demising

transitive verb

1
: to convey by will or lease
demise an estate
2
: to transmit by succession or inheritance
3
obsolete : convey, give

intransitive verb

1
2
: to pass by descent or bequest
the property has demised to the king's heirs

Examples of demise in a Sentence

Noun … invited visitors to play a game in which points are awarded to those who predict the demise of yet another overhyped dot-com. Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 14 Sept. 2000
This elegant little book is essential reading for anyone interested in the demise, the terminal silliness, of our culture. John Irving, New York Times Book Review, 6 Apr. 1997
Like books, board games appear headed for imminent demise at the hands of cathode-ray terminals. Will Manley, Booklist, 1 Mar. 1995
She had no property at the time of her demise. The musician met an untimely demise. We have not had truly local news coverage since the town newspaper's demise three years ago. Losing this game will mean the team's demise. Verb our much beloved, recently demised leader
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The internet may be the chief villain in the Voice’s demise, killing the revenue stream of personal ads and apartment listings that for many New Yorkers was the main reason for picking up the newspaper. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Shifting demographics also played a role in these campuses' demise. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for demise 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'demise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dimise, from Anglo-French demise, feminine of demis, past participle of demettre to dismiss, from Latin demittere to send down, from de- + mittere to send

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of demise was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near demise

Cite this Entry

“Demise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demise. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

demise

noun
de·​mise
di-ˈmīz
1
2
: an ending of existence or activity
the demise of a newspaper

Legal Definition

demise

1 of 2 transitive verb
de·​mise di-ˈmīz How to pronounce demise (audio)
demised; demising
: to convey (possession of property) by will or lease
the demised premises

demise

2 of 2 noun
1
: the conveyance of property by will or lease : lease
2
: the transmission of property by testate or intestate succession
3
: charter of a boat in which the owner surrenders completely the possession, command, and navigation of the boat

called also bareboat charter

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from feminine past participle of demettre to convey by lease, from Old French, to put down, give up, renounce, from Latin demittere to let fall and dimittere to release

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