loss of life

idiomatic phrase

: death
… street robberies, often accompanied by cruel wounds, and not unfrequently by loss of lifeCharles Dickens
: incidences of people dying
In 1900 a hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, destroying the city and killing over 6,000 persons—the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster ever recorded in the United States.David H. Hickcox

Examples of loss of life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two people were killed and several others injured in a fiery crash in Mesa, with officers assisting others out of a burning vehicle to prevent more loss of life, police said. The Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 13 Dec. 2025 Details of the loss of life trickled in slowly as the news spread across the country. Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Dec. 2025 The pipe bombs could have caused devastating loss of life and injuries, as well as property damage. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025 Then suddenly, mid-song, Backxwash widens her perspective, considering the loss of life in Gaza. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loss of life

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loss of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20of%20life. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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