fatality

noun

fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈta-lə-tē 

fə-

plural fatalities

1

a

: the quality or state of causing death or destruction

b

: the quality or condition of being destined for disaster

2

: something established by fate

3

a

: fate sense 1

b

: fatalism

4

: the agent or agency of fate

5

a

: death resulting from a disaster

b

: one that experiences a fatal outcome

Synonyms

• casualty
• loss
• prey
• victim

Examples of fatality in a Sentence

The car crash caused one fatality and several serious injuries.

the grim reminder that every holiday weekend inevitably results in a slew of highway fatalities

Recent Examples on the Web

The state was one of the first overwhelmed by fentanyl fatalities – no one can say why for sure – and is now among the first seeing the wave of deaths ebb. —Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024

The Asheville area fatalities are part of the Southeast death toll blamed on Helene that surpassed 200 on Thursday, according to a USA TODAY analysis. —Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

The Court Support Services Division, which oversees probation services, was involved with caregivers in both fatality cases. —Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 18 Dec. 2024

Annual dengue fatalities range between 8,000-40,000 people per year, with many deaths occurring in children. —Stephen J. Thomas, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French fatalité, from Late Latin fatalitat-, fatalitas, from Latin fatalis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fatality

• case fatality rate
• case fatality ratio
• fatality rate

Kids Definition

fatality

noun

fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈtal-ət-ē 

fə-

plural fatalities

: a death resulting from a disaster or accident

Medical Definition

fatality

noun

fa·​tal·​i·​ty fā-ˈtal-ət-ē, fə- 

plural fatalities

1

: the quality or state of causing death or destruction : deadliness

the degree of fatality of a disease

2

a

: death resulting from a disaster

a car crash causing several fatalities

b

: one who suffers such a death

one of the fatalities was a small child