brain death

noun

1. complete cessation of brain function as evidenced by absence of brain-wave activity on an electroencephalogram: sometimes used as a legal definition of death.

brain death

noun

1. irreversible cessation of respiration due to irreparable brain damage, even though the heart may continue beating with the aid of a mechanical ventilator: widely considered as the criterion of death

brain death

1. Permanent brain damage resulting in loss of brain function, manifested by cessation of breathing and other vital reflexes, unconsciousness with unresponsiveness to stimuli, absence of muscle activity, and a flat electroencephalogram for a predetermined length of time. Patients who are brain-dead may still exhibit normal function of the heart, lungs, and other vital organs if they are receiving artificial life support.

Other Words From

• brain-dead [breyn, -ded], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brain death¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The research team were cautious, using a patient who had suffered brain death, attaching the kidney to the outside of the body, and closely monitoring for only a limited amount of time.

From MIT Technology Review

It can spot seizures, monitor sleep and even help determine brain death.

From Science News

Humans, for example, can sometimes go on breathing, metabolizing food and physically maturing even after clinical brain death, undercutting our medical and legal concepts of vitality.

From Washington Post

Different regions, and even different hospitals, have their own rules about determining brain death.

From Science News

This is one central reason that situations involving brain death are so complicated—the definition of death is not entirely clear.

From The Daily Beast

After brain death modern medicine can keep the body functioning in a near-physiological state for some time.

From The Daily Beast

The diagnosis of brain death is usually made at the bedside with corroborating clinical and neuroimaging evidence.

From The Daily Beast

Brain death implies the complete and permanent absence of neurological function in the cortex and the brainstem.

From The Daily Beast