fatality

noun

fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈta-lə-tē 

fə-

plural fatalities

1

a

: the quality or state of causing death or destruction

b

: the quality or condition of being destined for disaster

2

: something established by fate

3

a

: fate sense 1

b

: fatalism

4

: the agent or agency of fate

5

a

: death resulting from a disaster

b

: one that experiences a fatal outcome

Synonyms

• casualty
• loss
• prey
• victim

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 on the Web

Soviet authorities, evading responsibility, never confirmed more than 145 fatalities. —Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023

The number of fatalities in Israel from the Hamas attacks is over 1,300, including 27 Americans, per NBC News, which cited U.S. officials. —Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023

That harrowing statistic made 2022 the third straight year that guns were the leading cause of death for those under the age of 19 in the country—after such deaths overtook fatalities caused by motor vehicle accidents in 2020. —Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 22 Nov. 2023

Should a Boring Company tunnel ever collapse, former employees recognize the impact would be devastating—even if there are no fatalities. —Byjessica Mathews, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023

October saw the fewest fatalities in a single month this year, with 13 people slain, according to police data. —Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023

The Camp Fire caused at least 85 civilian fatalities and injured five firefighters. —John Riha, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023

All the changes in California have led to a 55% reduction in fatalities since 2019. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023

Ten of the 13 fatalities listed the place of death as a residence, coroner’s data show. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing fatality

• case fatality rate
• fatality rate
• case fatality ratio

• case fatality rate
• fatality rate
• case fatality ratio

Kids Definition

fatality

noun

fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈtal-ət-ē 

fə-

plural fatalities

: a death resulting from a disaster or accident

Medical Definition

fatality

noun

fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈtal-ət-ē, fə- 

plural fatalities

1

: the quality or state of causing death or destruction : deadliness

the degree of fatality of a disease

2

a

: death resulting from a disaster

a car crash causing several fatalities

b

: one who suffers such a death

one of the fatalities was a small child