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

Out of the shadows The sudden death of Panettiere, who spent her childhood and teen years starring in big-budget films, has infused nuance into the conversation about maternal mental health. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Hayden Panettiere was remembered as more than just an actress in her final campaign with PETA, a project that was captured in Los Angeles weeks before her sudden death at 36. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

However, after Panettiere’s sudden death on Sunday, those calls were renewed and only seemed to gather steam as the week went on. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

The novice senator is beginning her sixth week on the job, having been appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham's seat two days after his sudden death on July 11. — Sophia Vlahakis, CBS News, 19 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