noun
death
DETH/deθ/
The permanent ending of life.
The plant's death marks the end of its life cycle.
Etymology
Old English deaþ named both dying itself and the resulting state of being dead. The word thus encompasses life's ending as an event as well as the condition that follows.
In context
The Christians who believed that death was not the end but a transition to eternal life were less fearful of the plague than their pagan neighbors
More examples
- Smoke alarms help prevent deaths in house fires.
- She still mourns her grandfather's death.
- The doctor records the time and cause of death.
Forms
death · deaths
dead adjective — No longer alive; having stopped living.
deadly adjective — Able or likely to cause death.