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 sudden death in 2017 left a deep void, both in the band and among fans. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2024

Watts' character is entrusted with the care of Murray's character's Great Dane after his sudden death. —Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024

The Vatican thriller stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal tasked with supervising a conclave following the sudden death of the Pope to choose a successor. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 July 2024

Researchers had observed this sudden death of entanglement since the late 2000s, in experiments and simulations on ordinary classical computers. —Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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