brain death

American  

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 British  

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 Scientific  

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 Word Forms

• brain-dead adjective

Etymology

Origin of brain death

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Over that decade, Nato went from the "brain death" French President Emmanuel Macron warned about in 2019 to a revamped military alliance that now counts Sweden and Finland among its members.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2024

“Unfortunately, her health condition is not promising, and, despite the efforts of the medical staff, the brain death of Armita Geravand seems certain,” Tasnim reported.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2023

Locke and her colleagues have performed several kidney xenotransplants in humans who had suffered brain death.

From Scientific American • Oct. 18, 2023

The consensus practice guideline outlines the standardized procedure for trained clinicians to evaluate people for brain death.

From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2023

Node:terminal brain death, Next:terminal illness, Previous:terminak, Up:= T = terminal brain death n.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.