loss of life

idiomatic phrase

: death

… street robberies, often accompanied by cruel wounds, and not unfrequently by loss of life …

—Charles 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

Jose's family members have raised concerns the severity of the charge doesn't accurately reflect the loss of life. —Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026

Any loss of life is a profound tragedy, and our thoughts are with all those affected. —Matt Schooley, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

Any loss of life is tragic, and my condolences are with the victim’s family. —Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026

Prosecutor Chuck Morton argued at Mateo’s stand-your-ground hearing that the officers used a reckless and disproportionate amount of force in the confrontation, resulting in avoidable loss of life. —Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for loss of life

• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife