near-death experience

American  

[neer-deth ik-speer-ee-uhns] / ˈnɪərˈdɛθ ɪkˌspɪər i əns /

1. a sensation or vision, as of the afterlife, reported by a person who has come close to death. nde, NDE

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near-death experience British  

noun

1.  NDE.  an experience, instances of which have been widely reported, in which a person near death is apparently outside his body and aware of it and the attendant circumstances as separate from him

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Example Sentences

The aftermath of his near-death experience, he says, was just as profound.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

And the Detroit stalwarts survived their own near-death experience during the 2007-09 recession, when U.S. taxpayers bailed out GM and Chrysler.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The prime minister has had a political near-death experience – and survived, for now at least.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

The portrayal of Lochlan’s near-death experience might have been more realistic than his poisoning.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2025

So one thing I learn is that maybe everyone should have a near-death experience now and then.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements