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

Black Americans continued to have the highest death rate of any group tracked, and men continued to die at higher rates than women—a gap that has persisted for years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

The death rate has eclipsed the pace of 2025, which saw nine deaths by the end of February.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026

We can cut this death rate with early and consistent prenatal care, research has shown.

From Salon ● Mar. 1, 2026

In poorer regions, such as Buryatia in eastern Siberia, and Tuva in southern Siberia, the death rate is 27 to 33 times higher respectively than in the capital.

From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026

The companies that run the farms expect this death rate and figure it into the cost of production.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan