death rate

American  

[deth reyt] / ˈdɛθ ˌreɪt /

noun

1. mortality rate.

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death rate British  

noun

1. Also called (esp US): mortality rate.  the ratio of deaths in a specified area, group, etc, to the population of that area, group, etc

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Etymology

Origin of death rate

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

death rate

Hispanic women have a 40 percent higher incidence of cervical cancer and 20 percent higher death rate from it compared to non-Hispanic white women.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

The overall death rate of children has increased, too.

From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026

At 20.2 per 100,000 men, the death rate for men in the UK in 2024 was almost double the rate for women.

From BBC ● May 11, 2026

Hantavirus is suspected of spreading aboard a luxury cruise ship, killing three passengers and sparking new concerns as a once obscure disease, with an extraordinarily high death rate, rises amid changing climate conditions.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

The numbers were staggering and clearly defied a natural death rate.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann