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

Didion's autobiography follows the sudden death of her husband and the long, uncertain illness of their daughter Quintana, compounded in a very short time span. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

Mthethwa was expected to respond to the allegations before his sudden death. —Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025

Make overtime periods 15 minutes long and, if the score is still tied after the first two possessions, go to sudden death. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Students also explore themes of madness, mayhem and sudden death in 19th century Gothic and 20th century Southern Gothic short stories. —Molly Ryder Granatino, The Conversation, 1 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