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.

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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

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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.

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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

The act, for example, needs to clarify when and for how long, if not indefinitely, a person can be kept on a ventilator after brain death if a family objects to it being removed.

From Science Daily • Oct. 25, 2023

“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

Last year Moazami and his colleagues transplanted genetically modified pig hearts into two people who had suffered brain death, and the organs functioned well for several days.

From Scientific American • Oct. 18, 2023

Node:terminak, Next:terminal brain death, Previous:teraflop club, Up:= T = terminak /ter'mi-nak`/ n.

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