brain death
noun
: final cessation of activity in the central nervous system especially as indicated by a flat electroencephalogram for a predetermined length of time
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Journalists who assert otherwise not only mistake their opinion for facts but foment fears that brain death is a tool for overeager transplant surgeons, cost-conscious hospitals or windfall-seeking heirs. 
Michael Stanley, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 Maintaining the stability of brain-dead individuals for extended periods isn’t easy because chemical changes take place at brain death, said Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, a professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 27 Aug. 2022 Anne Heche remains on life support and under evaluation for organ donation after a car crash that led to her brain death, a representative for the actor said Friday. Lynn Elber, ajc, 12 Aug. 2022 Keeping a body going for more than a week after brain death is typically difficult. Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2022 By the time the error was realized, the patient suffered cardiac arrest and partial brain death. Mariah Timms, USA TODAY, 13 May 2022 Vaught eventually realized the error, but Murphey had already gone into cardiac arrest and suffered partial brain death. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 14 May 2022 His body launched a severe inflammatory response that led to organ failure and, ultimately, brain death. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2021 The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and causes disease and brain death. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2021 See More
Michael Stanley, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2022 Maintaining the stability of brain-dead individuals for extended periods isn’t easy because chemical changes take place at brain death, said Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, a professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Amy Dockser Marcus, WSJ, 27 Aug. 2022 Anne Heche remains on life support and under evaluation for organ donation after a car crash that led to her brain death, a representative for the actor said Friday. Lynn Elber, ajc, 12 Aug. 2022 Keeping a body going for more than a week after brain death is typically difficult. Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2022 By the time the error was realized, the patient suffered cardiac arrest and partial brain death. Mariah Timms, USA TODAY, 13 May 2022 Vaught eventually realized the error, but Murphey had already gone into cardiac arrest and suffered partial brain death. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 14 May 2022 His body launched a severe inflammatory response that led to organ failure and, ultimately, brain death. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2021 The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and causes disease and brain death. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1921, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
brain death
noun
: final cessation of activity in the central nervous system especially as indicated by a flat electroencephalogram for a predetermined length of time
Legal Definition
brain death
noun
ˈbrān-ˌdeth
: the final stopping of activity in the central nervous system especially as indicated by a flat electroencephalogram for a usually statutorily predetermined period of time