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

The Context Jankavski's sudden death has left her fans reeling. —MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

After initially being classified as a sudden death report, the investigation is now being classed as a murder case, the outlet stated, citing local police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025

Godchaux and Keith also released one album together in 1975, and were set to start a new band in the early Eighties before Keith’s sudden death. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025

Country singer Luke Bryan recently revealed his sister's 2007 death was attributed to sudden death syndrome. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 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