demise

1 of 2

noun

de·​mise di-ˈmīz 

1

a

: death

b

: a cessation of existence or activity

c

: a loss of position or status

2

: the conveyance of an estate

3

: transfer of the sovereignty to a successor

demise

2 of 2

verb

demised; demising

transitive verb

1

: to convey by will or lease

demise an estate

2

: to transmit by succession or inheritance

3

obsolete : convey, give

intransitive verb

1

: die, decease

2

: to pass by descent or bequest

the property has demised to the king's heirs

Synonyms

Noun

• curtains
• death
• decease
• dissolution
• doom
• end
• exit
• expiration
• expiry
• fate
• grave
• great divide
• passage
• passing
• quietus
• sleep

Verb

• check out
• conk (out)
• croak [slang]
• decease
• depart
• die
• drop
• end
• exit
• expire
• fall
• flatline
• go
• kick in [slang]
• kick off [slang]
• part
• pass (on)
• pass away
• peg out [chiefly British]
• perish
• pop off
• step out
• succumb

Examples of demise in a Sentence

Noun

… invited visitors to play a game in which points are awarded to those who predict the demise of yet another overhyped dot-com. —Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 14 Sept. 2000

This elegant little book is essential reading for anyone interested in the demise, the terminal silliness, of our culture. —John Irving, New York Times Book Review, 6 Apr. 1997

Like books, board games appear headed for imminent demise at the hands of cathode-ray terminals. —Will Manley, Booklist, 1 Mar. 1995

She had no property at the time of her demise.

The musician met an untimely demise.

We have not had truly local news coverage since the town newspaper's demise three years ago.

Losing this game will mean the team's demise.

Verb

our much beloved, recently demised leader

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Global fear and loathing of Islamism is preventing a genuine wave of celebration over the demise of a butcher. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

Not waiting for predators to leave the area before birthing may also play a role in a newborn fish’s demise. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

Founder Eric Law says the best application of the product would be for partition and demising walls where clients want the look of wood, along with the sustainability benefits. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

Even the reports of the Suns’ demise that the Mavs created may be premature. —Dallas News, 31 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dimise, from Anglo-French demise, feminine of demis, past participle of demettre to dismiss, from Latin demittere to send down, from de- + mittere to send

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

demise

noun

de·​mise

di-ˈmīz

1

: death sense 1

2

: an ending of existence or activity

the demise of a newspaper

Legal Definition

demise

1 of 2 transitive verb

de·​mise di-ˈmīz 

demised; demising

: to convey (possession of property) by will or lease

the demised premises

demise

2 of 2 noun

1

: the conveyance of property by will or lease : lease

2

: the transmission of property by testate or intestate succession

3

: charter of a boat in which the owner surrenders completely the possession, command, and navigation of the boat

called also bareboat charter

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from feminine past participle of demettre to convey by lease, from Old French, to put down, give up, renounce, from Latin demittere to let fall and dimittere to release