mortality rate

American  

[mawr-tal-i-tee reyt] / mɔrˈtæl ɪ ti ˌreɪt /

noun

1. the relative frequency of deaths in a specific population during a specified time, often cited as the percentage of human deaths during a public health crisis, or of wildlife deaths due to environmental perils.

   Patients over the age of 80 had the highest mortality rate during the last flu season.

   The mortality rate of the bald eagle falls to about 25 percent after the first year of life.

---

mortality rate British  

noun

1. another term for death rate

---

Etymology

Origin of mortality rate

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Dr Muhammad Mosa Oldat, who runs the neonatal unit, says the mortality rate climbs as high as 10%, which is "not acceptable".

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The mortality rate was 30 to 50 percent.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

The incubation period is between two and 21 days, and the mortality rate in past Bundibugyo outbreaks was between 30% and 50%.

From MarketWatch • May 17, 2026

Faster chair stand performance was also linked to improved survival, with a 4% lower mortality rate for every 6-second improvement from the slowest to the fastest times.

From Science Daily • May 12, 2026

Now, thanks to the educational seminars and emergency care provided by the clinic’s volunteer staff, that mortality rate has been cut to less than one death per 30,000 trekkers.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer