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

Going through all that material, Thomas remained a critical and productive partner for us even after his sudden death. — Jd Linville, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

After Washington’s sudden death in 1987, Evans ran unsuccessfully to succeed him — both to finish Washington’s unexpired mayoral term and in the 1989 special election. — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Following McKnight’s sudden death, the constable’s office is organizing a celebration of life that will be open to the public. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

His most recent post, which was pre-scheduled to go up around midnight, was about the sudden death of van-life personality Joe Felz. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sudden death

• shibboleth
• beth
• breath
• heth
• lethe
• meth
• neath
• 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