died; dying
ˈdī-iŋ 
1
: to pass from physical life : expire
died at the age of 86
die young
died from his injuries
a dying tree
My grandfather died of old age. [=because he was old]
2
a
: to pass out of existence : cease
Their anger died at these words.
b
: to disappear or subside gradually
—often used with away, down, or out
The storm died down.
3
4
a
: to cease functioning : stop
The motor died and we were stuck.
b
: to end in failure
The bill died in committee.
5
: to become indifferent
die to worldly things
see also die hard, die on the vine, to die for
1
plural dice
: a small cube marked on each face with from one to six spots and used usually in pairs in various games and in gambling by being shaken and thrown to come to rest at random on a flat surface
—often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the irrevocability of a course of action
the die was cast
2
3
plural dies
: any of various tools or devices for imparting a desired shape, form, or finish to a material or for impressing an object or material: such as
a(1)
: the larger of a pair of cutting or shaping tools that when moved toward each other produce a desired form in or impress a desired device on an object by pressure or by a blow
(2)
: a device composed of a pair of such tools
b
: a hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool used for forming screw threads
c
: a mold into which molten metal or other material is forced
d
: a perforated block through which metal or plastic is drawn or extruded for shaping
Examples of die in a Sentence
Verb
She claims she's not afraid to die.
He died in 1892 at the age of 37.
People in the town began dying suddenly.
He died a violent and painful death.
Her secret died with her.
He's the last of a dying breed.
Noun
Each player throws one die.
he rolled the die, hoping for a six
Recent Examples on the Web
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
One victim was a Holocaust survivor named Alex Kleytman, who died while shielding his wife Larisa from one of the gunmen’s bullets, according to the Jewish organization Chabad.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025
Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Each set comes with a serialized Certificate of Authenticity and the final lot, set number 232, also comes with the three original dies used to strike the coins.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for die
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner have died in an apparent homicide.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
One victim was a Holocaust survivor named Alex Kleytman, who died while shielding his wife Larisa from one of the gunmen’s bullets, according to the Jewish organization Chabad.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025
Noun
But here on the delta and across the mountains and deserts and wetlands from source to sea, people who refuse to watch the Colorado die are prioritizing its care and nursing it back to health.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Each set comes with a serialized Certificate of Authenticity and the final lot, set number 232, also comes with the three original dies used to strike the coins.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for die
Cite this Entry
“Die.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/die. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
die
1 of 2 verb
died; dying
ˈdī-iŋ
1
: to stop living : expire
died of old age
2
a
: to pass out of existence : come to an end
their anger was dying down
b
: to disappear or lessen gradually
the wind died down
3
a
: to wish eagerly or desperately
dying to go
b
: to be completely overcome with emotion
almost died of embarrassment
4
: to stop functioning
the motor sputtered and died
die
2 of 2 noun1
plural dice
ˈdīs
: a small cube marked on each side with one to six spots and used usually in pairs in various games
—often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the absence of possible change in a course of action
: a small cube marked on each side with one to six spots and used usually in pairs in various games
—often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the absence of possible change in a course of actionthe die was cast
2
plural dies
ˈdīz
: any of various devices used for cutting, shaping, or stamping a material or object
: any of various devices used for cutting, shaping, or stamping a material or object
Etymology
Verb
Middle English dien "to die," of Norse origin
Noun
Middle English dee "small cube marked with spots and thrown in gambling, dice," from early French dé (same meaning)
Medical Definition
die
2 of 2 noun
plural dies
ˈdīz
: any of various tools or devices for imparting a desired shape, form, or finish to a material or for impressing an object or material
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