mortality rate

[ mawr-tal-i-tee reyt ]

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

noun

1. another term for death rate

Word History and Origins

Origin of mortality rate¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Black women in California have suffered a maternal mortality rate more than three times that of white women in the state.

From Los Angeles Times

“Increased income and health insurance access are known to have health benefits, including reduced mortality rates.”

From Salon

The number of women's health clinics are decreasing, and maternal mortality rates increasing, as doctors and women alike face prosecution for potentially violating GOP-passed laws.

From Salon

Black women have suffered a maternal mortality rate more than three times that of white women in California, state data show.

From Los Angeles Times

“Those units would experience mortality rates in excess of 70% in some cases.”

From BBC