mortality rate

noun

plural mortality rates
: the ratio between deaths and individuals in a specified population and during a particular time period : the incidence of deaths in a given population during a defined time period (such as one year) that is typically expressed per 1000 or 100,000 individuals : death rate
an annual mortality rate of 15 deaths per 1000 people

Note: A crude mortality rate does not distinguish between specific causes of death or groups of individuals and measures the incidence of all deaths in a population during a given time period. More specific mortality rates are based on narrower categories of individuals or causes of death.

an infant mortality rate of 9 deaths per 1000 live births
mortality rates of lung cancer patients
infectious disease mortality rates

Examples of mortality rate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 55-plus age group showed a significantly higher mortality rate than those aged 20-54. Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025 The mortality rates of small indie presses and literary journals are a depressing feature of our cultural landscape. Michael Washburn, National Review, 25 May 2025 While breast cancer mortality rates have steadily decreased across the board, breast cancer incidence rates are still trending upward, especially in women under 50, per recent American Cancer Society data. Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 21 May 2025 But her situation is undoubtedly alarming for those seeking solutions to disparities in the maternal mortality rate among Black women. Kate Brumback, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mortality rate

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mortality rate was in 1855

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Cite this Entry

“Mortality rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortality%20rate. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

mortality rate

noun
: the ratio between deaths and individuals in a specified population and during a particular time period : the incidence of deaths in a given population during a defined time period (such as one year) that is typically expressed per 1000 or 100,000 individuals : death rate
an annual mortality rate of 15 deaths per 1000 people

Note: A crude mortality rate does not distinguish between specific causes of death or groups of individuals and measures the incidence of all deaths in a population during a given time period. More specific mortality rates are based on narrower categories of individuals or causes of death.

mortality rates of liver cancer patients
an infant mortality rate of 9 deaths per 1000 live births
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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