death */*/*/

UK [deθ] / US noun
Word forms "death":
singular death plural deaths

1) [uncountable] the state of being dead

It was clear that Sandra was very close to death.

bleed/starve/burn etc to death:

These people will starve to death unless they receive help soon.

stab/kick/beat etc someone to death:

Two of the prisoners were beaten to death by the guards.

escape death (= avoid being killed):

The couple narrowly escaped death when their car skidded off the road.

the cause of death:

The doctor said that the cause of death was brain damage.

2) [countable] an occasion when someone dies

the rising number of deaths on the roads every year

There has recently been a death in their family.

deaths from cancer/disease/traffic accidents etc:

The programme is aimed at reducing the number of deaths from cancer.

3) [singular] the time when something ends or the fact that it ends

death of:

the death of apartheid in South Africa

spell the death of something (= cause the end of it):

These regulations could spell the death of the industry.

•

be in at the death (of something) — informal to be present when something ends or someone suffers defeat, especially because you are pleased about it

look/feel like death warmed up — informal to look or feel very ill

someone/something will be the death of me — often humorous used for saying that someone or something annoys, upsets, or worries you very much

That child will be the death of me.

you'll catch your death (of cold) — spoken used for warning someone that if they go outside when it is cold or wet they will become ill

- at death's door

- do something to death

- to death

See:

kiss of death, matter I