DOA
Americanabbreviation
Usage
What does DOA mean? DOA stands for dead on arrival. Outside of law enforcement and hospitals, DOA is used figuratively for a hopeless situation or something doomed from the start. How is DOA pronounced?[ dee-oh-ey ]
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.
After the framework was released, Davidson posted a blunt prediction on X: "DOA," shorthand for "dead on arrival."
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
It seems likely, if not certain, that the whole cooties thing would have been DOA in high school.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
The three other gals — Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor and Isabela Merced — well, they were clearly cast for a potential future standalone film, which has to be DOA at this point.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2024
With the park almost DOA on several occasions, the leadership provided by Bozeman and Ellis saved the day and the city of Bellevue now has an iconic urban park.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 31, 2023
According to one freight bill, the Underworld’s billing address was DOA Recording Studios, West Hollywood, California.
From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
