sudden death

noun

1

: unexpected death that is instantaneous or occurs within minutes from any cause other than violence

sudden death following coronary occlusion

2

: extra play to break a tie in a sports contest in which the first to score or gain the lead wins

Examples of sudden death in a Sentence

We won 27–24 in sudden death.

a serious heart condition that can result in sudden death

Recent Examples on the Web

Before that, Abbie is being ruthlessly scrutinized and controlled by her parents, while Leila’s mother has mostly checked out after her elder daughter’s sudden death. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 26 Sep. 2025

In more serious cases, infected people may experience digestive problems such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, an enlarged heart or even sudden death, according to the CDC. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

Jan became foreign minister at the end of World War II, until his sudden death in 1948. —Jay Ganglani, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025

Smee’s traumatized both by Arthur’s sudden death and Slightly’s dishonesty. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sudden death

• shibboleth
• beth
• breath
• heth
• lethe
• meth
• seth
• sheth
• sneath

Kids Definition

sudden death

noun

: extra play to break a tie in a sports contest in which the first to score or gain the lead wins

Medical Definition

sudden death

noun

: unexpected death that is instantaneous or occurs within minutes or hours from any cause other than violence

sudden death following coronary occlusion

especially : sudden cardiac death