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
Death 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
see also:
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
His widow, Erika Kirk, who took the helm of the organization after his death, pushed to maintain public access to Robinson’s prosecution when defense attorneys sought to exclude cameras from the courtroom.
—
ABC News,
5 July 2026
Record-setting heat is suspected in 25 deaths from the Deep South to the Midwest to the East Coast, authorities said, with the temperature highs also suppressing some Fourth of July celebrations.
—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
5 July 2026
In 2024, roughly 48,800 Americans died by suicide, a slight decrease from the peak of nearly 49,500 deaths in this manner in 2022.
—
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5 July 2026
Authorities are seeking information regarding the circumstances surrounding Cheryl's death.
—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for death
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ABC News,
5 July 2026
Record-setting heat is suspected in 25 deaths from the Deep South to the Midwest to the East Coast, authorities said, with the temperature highs also suppressing some Fourth of July celebrations.
—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
5 July 2026
In 2024, roughly 48,800 Americans died by suicide, a slight decrease from the peak of nearly 49,500 deaths in this manner in 2022.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Authorities are seeking information regarding the circumstances surrounding Cheryl's death.
—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for death
Cite this Entry
“Death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/death. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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