fatality

play

noun fa·tal·i·ty \fā-ˈta-lə-tē, fə-\

Definition of fatality

plural

fatalities

1a : the quality or state of causing death or destructionb : the quality or condition of being destined for disaster
2 : something established by fate
3a : fate 1b : fatalism
4 : the agent or agency of fate
5a : death resulting from a disasterb : one that experiences a fatal outcome

See fatality defined for English-language learners

See fatality defined for kids

Examples of fatality in a Sentence

The car crash caused one fatality and several serious injuries.
the grim reminder that every holiday weekend inevitably results in a slew of highway fatalities

Recent Examples of fatality from the Web

Last year, the child fatality panel listed 17 infant deaths linked to unsafe sleep, according to its annual report in 2016 for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2016.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky drug epidemic's smallest victims: Babies dying in their sleep", 6 July 2017
Two fatalities were recorded, as well as more than 40 people injured.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "New book captures details of 1955 Whiting refinery explosion", 30 June 2017
With collisions that result in a fatality or injury, the city ranked 35, and for ones where alcohol is involved, Glendale came in at 51.

— andy nguyen, Glendale News-Press, "Glendale drivers considered among worst in the country, but city disagrees", 29 June 2017
Louisville Metro Police are investigating a double shooting with two confirmed fatalities in the 2400 block of W. Jefferson Street.

— The Courier-Journal, "Two dead in Friday evening shooting on W. Jefferson Street", 23 June 2017
Men especially need to watch out during storms, more than 80 percent of lightning fatalities are men.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "National Weather Service: Every thunderstorm a 'potential killer'", 22 June 2017
A US Navy ship and a merchant vessel collided off the coast of Japan with multiple fatalities.

— robert bateman, Esquire, "When You Think of Syria, Think of Reciprocity", 21 June 2017
The UN deployed more than 13,000 military personnel and says its mission in Mali has the highest fatality rate of all UN operations worldwide.

— olivier monnier, Bloomberg.com, "Four Guests Killed in Attack on Resort in Mali's Capital", 19 June 2017
Kansas City Interim Police Chief David Zimmerman Additional police resources are expected to be deployed in areas where there has been an increase in drive-by shootings, traffic fatalities and crimes.

— glenn e. rice, kansascity, "As violence spikes, KC will deploy more police officers in problem neighborhoods", 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fatality'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fatality

Middle French fatalité, from Late Latin fatalitat-, fatalitas, from Latin fatalis

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First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

FATALITY Defined for English Language Learners

fatality

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noun

Definition of fatality for English Language Learners

: a death that results from a disaster, accident, etc.
: a tendency to result in death

FATALITY Defined for Kids

fatality

play

noun fa·tal·i·ty \fā-ˈta-lə-tē\

Definition of fatality for Students

plural

fatalities

: a death resulting from a disaster or accident

Medical Dictionary

fatality

play

noun fa·tal·i·ty \fā-ˈtal-ət-ē, fə-\

Medical Definition of fatality

plural

fatalities

1: the quality or state of causing death or destruction : deadliness the degree of fatality of a disease
2a: death resulting from a disaster a car crash causing several fatalitiesb: one who suffers such a death one of the fatalities was a small child