death
The end of a person's or animal's life
When a person, animal, or other living thing stops living forever.
the death of [someone/something]
- The sudden death of the actor shocked fans around the world.
- Doctors are still investigating the cause of death.
- She has been grieving the death of her father for months.
- War often brings unnecessary death and suffering.
- The disease led to the death of thousands.
- The death of my cat made me sad.
- They talked about the death of the king.
- Death comes to all living things.
- He fears his own death.
- We read about the death of a famous singer.
The condition of no longer being alive
The condition when someone or something is not alive anymore.
- Many cultures have different beliefs about what happens after death.
- He looked pale, as if close to death.
- She escaped certain death in the accident.
- Some people believe in life after death.
- He was very close to death but survived.
- Death is part of nature.
The end or ruin of something
When something ends forever, not a living thing but an idea, plan, or way of doing something.
the death of [something]
- Some say the internet means the death of traditional newspapers.
- The scandal marked the political death of the senator.
- Critics fear this law could mean the death of free speech.
- Many people talk about the death of books.
- It was the death of their friendship.
- The new rule caused the death of the old system.
life and death
1Extremely serious or dangerous situation
A situation that is very serious and could result in someone living or dying.
- Getting clean water to the village is a matter of life and death.
- In war, soldiers face life and death situations every day.
to death
1To an extreme extent, often unpleasantly so
Very much, until it is unpleasant or harmful.
- He was bored to death during the lecture.
- They froze to death in the cold.
at death's door
1Very close to dying
Very sick or injured and likely to die soon.
- After the accident, he was at death's door for weeks.
- She looked like she was at death's door with that flu.
at death's door
2Very close to death
Very sick or almost dying.
- He was at death's door after the accident.
- The patient was at death's door but recovered.
death sentence
1Official order to execute someone as punishment for a crime
When a court says someone must be killed as punishment for a crime.
- The judge handed down a death sentence for the murderer.
- The murderer received the death sentence after the trial.
- In some countries, drug trafficking carries a death sentence.
- Many countries have abolished the death sentence.
a fate worse than death
1extremely bad imagined situation
A very bad situation that someone feels would be even worse than dying.
- For him, living without music would be a fate worse than death.
- For some prisoners, life in total isolation is a fate worse than death.
- She thought working for her ex-boss again would be a fate worse than death.
- He joked that going back to that job would be a fate worse than death.
- To her, losing her independence would be a fate worse than death.
a fate worse than death
2Something imagined to be worse than dying
A situation so bad that someone thinks dying would be better.
- For him, losing his freedom was a fate worse than death.
- She said working there would be a fate worse than death.