dead on arrival
phrase
: having died before getting to a hospital, emergency room, etc.
—often used figuratively
The victim was dead on arrival at the hospital.
The bill was dead on arrival in the Senate.
Cite this Entry
“Dead on arrival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/dead%20on%20arrival. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
