Phrase guide

dead heat

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

a close race or contest in which no winner is apparent

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Polls indicated a dead heat for the office of dog catcher.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a tie in a race

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: draw, standoff, tie

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: unentschiedenes Rennen — close race
  • Hungarian: holtverseny — close race
  • Polish: wyścig remisowy — close race
  • Spanish: empate — close race
  • Spanish: carrera cabeza con cabeza — close race
  • Swedish: dött lopp — close race