loss of life

idiomatic phrase

: death
… street robberies, often accompanied by cruel wounds, and not unfrequently by loss of lifeCharles Dickens
: incidences of people dying
In 1900 a hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, destroying the city and killing over 6,000 persons—the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster ever recorded in the United States.David H. Hickcox

Examples of loss of life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The result has been flash floods in several states producing catastrophic destruction and loss of life. Jeffrey Basara, The Conversation, 24 July 2025 The destruction and loss of life associated with Hurricane Katrina have always been simultaneously unfathomable and fully fathomable, in a way that isn’t always the case with tragedies of that scale. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025 For homeowners impacted by the floods and for anyone living in this particular part of central Texas already grappling with the immense loss of life caused by the extreme weather event, the coming months are likely to bring new challenges, experts say, and additional financial burdens. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025 The tragedy marked the largest loss of life within the department since 1857. Alexandra Koch , Bill Melugin , Alexandria Hernandez, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for loss of life

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loss of life was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Loss of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20of%20life. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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