sudden death

American  

noun

Sports.

1. an overtime period in which a tied contest is won and play is stopped immediately after one of the contestants scores, as in football, or goes ahead, as in golf.

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sudden death British  

noun

1. (in sports, etc) an extra game or contest to decide the winner of a tied competition

2. an unexpected or quick death

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Other Word Forms

• sudden-death adjective

Etymology

Origin of sudden death

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Siblings who face eviction from their childhood home following their mother's sudden death have appealed to Hackney Council for "fairness and compassion".

From BBC

Just a few days before her sudden death in late May, Zoë and her husband Andrew had a conversation that he returns to time and again.

From BBC

Louis Sr. was well-respected by his creditors and so beloved by his employees that they insisted on filling his grave themselves after his sudden death in 1984.

From Los Angeles Times

They have also had to deal with tragedy off the pitch following the sudden deaths of former manager Matt Beard and kit man Jonathan Humble.

From BBC

Samia, the soft-spoken leader whose calm and gentle demeanour, initially inspired optimism when she assumed power in 2021 after the sudden death in office of her authoritarian predecessor, John Magufuli.

From BBC