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

Supervisor Kathryn Barger abstained from the vote, arguing the county could not address the death rate without building a new facility.

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

The death rate for children and teens from 5 to 14 years old didn’t notably change between the two years, the report said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

The 30-day death rate fell from 25.7% before the new system to 13.9% afterward.

From Science Daily • Nov. 9, 2025

Consider, too, the Dobynsesque procedure for recovering original population numbers: applying an assumed death rate, usually 95 percent, to the observed population nadir.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann