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death rate

American  
[deth reyt] / ˈdɛθ ˌreɪt /

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of death rate

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

Young adults who have left care have a death rate around four times higher than the general population, a new review, external shows.

From BBC Aug. 25, 2026

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 pet-hour death rate of driving versus flying, however, is about equal.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

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