life-or-death
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of life-or-death
First recorded in 1680–90
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.
With people making potentially life-or-death decisions based on his posts, Esko said he felt the weight of responsibility.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
It does not present life-or-death challenges like a career in the army, but military training like this will ensure these coaches are prepared for anything in the dugout.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
They offered principles and red lines, including a plea that “AI systems must never be allowed to make life-or-death decisions, especially in military applications.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Related: They have millions in the bank — but without kids, who makes their life-or-death decisions?
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026
If one of them found him, he’d at least like them to know that he’d died in a life-or-death fight with a vicious reptile.
From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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.
