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

Prior to his sudden death in January, Lynch himself planned to participate in the fan event, Sutherland revealed at the tour's New York City stop on Sunday, Aug. 10. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

News of Perry's sudden death sent shockwaves across Hollywood. —Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2025

In Saint-Étienne, an old mining town, a young woman unravels the mystery surrounding her father’s sudden death. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025

Its inspection tool is a narrator (Michael Chernus) who provides in-the-moment thoughts underpinning the words of Maggie (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), a middle-aged Midwesterner trying to make sense of her husband’s sudden death. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 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