lethality

Also le·thal·ness

[lee-thal-i-tee]

noun

1. the capacity to cause great harm, destruction, or death.

   Many pathogens are self-limited by their own lethality—the host dies before it has a chance to spread the pathogen.

2. the likelihood of causing great harm, destruction, or death.

   Mutations can increase or decrease lethality, but most viruses mutate to less lethal forms.

3. death.

   Prion diseases, such as so-called “mad cow,” are characterized by neurodegeneration and lethality.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lethality¹

lethal ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )

Example Sentences

“The ability to be able to operate safely and effectively at a high level of lethality is something we’ve just been doing for a long time, and China’s learning how to do,” Mietus said.

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Meanwhile in Ukraine, drone warfare is evolving with astonishing speed and lethality.

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However, Tuesday's operation stood out for the scale and lethality.

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"The location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to enhance our combined training" as well as "increase lethality, interoperability," he said.

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The U.S. is building a “Qatari Emiri Air Force facility,” Hegseth said, “to enhance our combined training, increase the lethality and interoperability.”

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