1. a very sad event, especially one involving death or suffering
2. a serious play or story with a sad ending, especially one in which the main character dies
Usage: literary

Examples

• The plane crash was a terrible tragedy that affected the entire community.
• It’s a tragedy that so many children don’t have access to clean water.
• Shakespeare’s Hamlet is considered one of the greatest tragedies ever written.
• The family never recovered from the tragedy of losing their son.
• The oil spill was an environmental tragedy.
• Greek tragedies often featured gods and heroes facing their doom.
• The tragedy struck without warning on that quiet Sunday morning.