To perish means to die or be destroyed, especially in a sudden or tragic way. When ancient explorers set out across uncharted oceans, many perished in storms or from disease before reaching their destinations. When food perishes, it spoils and becomes unsafe to eat: milk perishes if left out on the counter, and fruit perishes when it rots.

The word carries a sense of loss and finality. A firefighter might risk their life to save people trapped in a building where they could perish from smoke. Entire civilizations have perished throughout history, leaving behind only ruins and artifacts. During harsh winters on the American frontier, settlers worried that their crops might perish from frost, leaving them without food.

You'll sometimes hear the word in the phrase perish the thought, which means “don't even consider that terrible possibility.” If your friend worries about failing a test they've studied hard for, you might say, “Perish the thought! You're going to do great.” The word perishable describes things that spoil or decay quickly, which is why grocery stores keep perishable foods like meat and dairy in refrigerators.