Definition

1. Noun:
   • The condition of being subject to death; the fact that all living things must eventually die: "mortality" refers to the inherent quality of being mortal, not immortal.
   • The number of deaths in a given population, area, or period; death rate: "mortality" also refers to a statistical measure, often expressed as a ratio (e.g., deaths per 1,000 people per year).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The novel explores themes of love and mortality. (The novel examines subjects like love and the human condition of being subject to death.)
  • Infant mortality has decreased significantly in the last century. (The death rate among very young children has fallen greatly in the last hundred years.)

Advanced Usage

• "force of mortality": In actuarial science, a mathematical function representing the instantaneous rate of death at a specific age.
  • Actuaries use the force of mortality to calculate life insurance premiums.
• "mortality salience": In psychology, the conscious awareness of one's own eventual death.
  • The theory suggests that mortality salience can influence cultural values and behavior.

Variants and Related Words

• Mortal (adj/n): (adj.) Subject to death; causing death. (n.) A human being.
  • All mortal creatures must die. / He was a mere mortal.
• Immortality (n): The condition of living forever; eternal life.
  • The myth tells of a hero who sought immortality.

Synonyms

• Death rate: The ratio of deaths to the population.
• Fatality: A death resulting from an accident or disaster.
• Humanity: (When referring to human beings collectively) .

Related Phrases

• Mortality table / Life table: A statistical chart showing the death rate and life expectancy for people at different ages.
  • The insurance company updated its mortality table.
• Mortality risk: The risk or probability of death.
  • The procedure carries a significant mortality risk.

Noun

1. the ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area; expressed per 1000 per year
2. the quality or state of being mortal