1
a
: a permanent cessation of all vital (see vital sense 2a) functions : the end of life
The cause of death has not been determined.
managed to escape death
prisoners were put to death
death threats
compare brain death
b
: an instance of dying
a disease causing many deaths
lived there until her death
2
a
: the cause or occasion of loss of life
drinking was the death of him
b
: a cause of ruin
the slander that was death to my character—
Wilkie Collins
Wilkie CollinsThe drought was death to the farm.
3
capitalized folklore
: the destroyer of life represented usually as a skeleton with a scythe
when death comes to take me away
4
: the state of being no longer alive : the state of being dead
5
a
: the passing or destruction of something inanimate
the death of vaudeville
b
: extinction
the death of the dinosaurs
6
law
: civil death
7
: slaughter
death and destruction
8
Christian Science
: the lie of life in matter : that which is unreal and untrue
Phrases
at death's door
: close to death : critically ill
: beyond endurance : excessively
bored to death
scared to death of spiders
I am sick to death of hearing your excuses.
Most high rollers prefer Atlantic City and Las Vegas, where they are comped to death and have more diversions.—William G. Flanagan et al.
William G. Flanagan et al.Synonyms
Examples of death in a Sentence
birth, life, and eventual death
The newspaper did not report the cause of death.
People around the world mourned his death.
The accident resulted in two deaths.
The number of deaths from cancer is rising.
He died a violent death.
There has been a death in the family.
The general met his death on the battlefield.
the death of a marriage
Death could be seen lurking in the corner of the painting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Smith has what appears to be the perfect life, but after her best friend’s death, her obsession with his murder begins to unravel her.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 25 Apr. 2024
An autopsy will determine the man's official cause and manner of death.
—USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Firearm violence is also the leading cause of death for Black teens.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
The body of a man who had been shot to death was discovered in a remote area of Malibu on Wednesday afternoon, according to homicide investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Webb was arrested in connection to the child’s death in April and was jailed without bond, authorities told reporters Tuesday, April 23, the AP reported.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
Research consistently finds that people who are classified as overweight have a lower risk of death than those who are normal or underweight.
—Dana G. Smith Dana G. Smith, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
No suspect was immediately named in the deaths of housemates Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, as well as Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The legendary ska group first disbanded following the tragic death of lead singer Bradley Nowell in 1996.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 25 Apr. 2024
An autopsy will determine the man's official cause and manner of death.
—USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Firearm violence is also the leading cause of death for Black teens.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
The body of a man who had been shot to death was discovered in a remote area of Malibu on Wednesday afternoon, according to homicide investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024
Webb was arrested in connection to the child’s death in April and was jailed without bond, authorities told reporters Tuesday, April 23, the AP reported.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024
Research consistently finds that people who are classified as overweight have a lower risk of death than those who are normal or underweight.
—Dana G. Smith Dana G. Smith, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
No suspect was immediately named in the deaths of housemates Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, as well as Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024
The legendary ska group first disbanded following the tragic death of lead singer Bradley Nowell in 1996.
—Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'death.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near death
Cite this Entry
“Death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
death
noun1
: the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities (as the beating of the heart and working of the brain) : the end of life
2
: the cause of loss of life
drinking was the death of him
3
capitalized
: the destroyer of life represented usually as a skeleton with a scythe
4
: the state of being dead
deathlike
adjective
-ˌlīk
Medical Definition
death
noun1
: the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity : the end of life see brain death
2
: the cause or occasion of loss of life
drinking was the death of him
3
: the state of being dead
in death as in life
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