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.
That summer of blood, maybe 1 per cent of the population of the area of the war was killed, an enormous loss of life in just over two months. Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025 There seems to be no end in sight for the loss of lives, destruction of cultures and eradication of a future for coming generations. Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025 Tsunamis have caused loss of life with severe floods, erosion, and structural damage. George Petras, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025 Early reports indicate a significant loss of life, including many children, with hundreds of fatalities and thousands injured, alongside widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Loss of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20of%20life. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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