sudden death

noun

1

: unexpected death that is instantaneous or occurs within minutes from any cause other than violence

sudden death following coronary occlusion

2

: extra play to break a tie in a sports contest in which the first to score or gain the lead wins

Examples of sudden death in a Sentence

We won 27–24 in sudden death.

a serious heart condition that can result in sudden death

Recent Examples on the Web

After his sudden death, Anise went on to get married and divorced twice. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

His sudden death four years later from complications of shoulder surgery accelerated the search for a partner that became Tavares’s PSA. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 Dec. 2024

After Veda's sudden death, the company had ceased production, with fans and collectors willing to pay exorbitant amounts for one of the original 28 games that were created. —Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024

The preliminary reason, according to a track veterinarian, was sudden death; likely a heart attack. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sudden death

noun

: extra play to break a tie in a sports contest in which the first to score or gain the lead wins

Medical Definition

sudden death

noun

: unexpected death that is instantaneous or occurs within minutes or hours from any cause other than violence

sudden death following coronary occlusion

especially : sudden cardiac death