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

Derived Forms

• sudden-death
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sudden death

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

A third-act twist or sudden death can change a viewer’s overall perception of a movie in an instant.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026

An abrupt removal of Castro, or his sudden death, could also spark an internal struggle for power.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

She says most people's idea of death comes from dramatic scenes in films or a sudden death.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

The memoir “Loved & Lost” that Carrie wrote about Mr. Big’s sudden death is also for sale, as is the manuscript.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

“Not so far—happen three mile. He had been called away by the sudden death of his father: he was at Marsh End now, and would very likely stay there a fortnight longer.”

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë