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

His romance with Meredith became one of the show's most popular storylines, which made his sudden death in season 11 all the more devastating. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Nov. 2025

Jackson Browne has announced the tragic and sudden death of his son, Ethan Browne. —Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Strings, 33, opened up about losing his mother Debra Apostol in a new episode of the Dopey podcast, saying her sudden death at age 64 on June 20 left him shocked and devastated. —Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025

Their abrupt adoption of a feisty goshawk named Mable is prompted by the sudden death of their father, respected photojournalist Alisdair MacDonald, played in the film by Brendan Gleeson. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 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