decedent
noun
de·ce·dent
di-ˈsē-dᵊnt 
law
: a person who is no longer living : a deceased person
the estate of the decedent
Examples of decedent in a Sentence
a tax on the estate of the decedent
Recent Examples on the Web
Using forensic genealogy — a technique that can help pinpoint living relatives of a deceased person based on the decedent's DNA — the lab was able to identify possible family members by 2025.
—
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The military funeral honors at a service will include an honor guard with at least two members of the military, one of whom will represent the decedent’s branch of service, the playing of Taps and the folding and presentation of one American flag to the next of kin, according to the VA.
—Darleene Powells, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
Investigators linked those pieces of evidence to a Facebook profile that resembled the decedent, the release states.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
The decedent’s wishes will be filled only with the remaining balance.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decedent
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Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The military funeral honors at a service will include an honor guard with at least two members of the military, one of whom will represent the decedent’s branch of service, the playing of Taps and the folding and presentation of one American flag to the next of kin, according to the VA.
—Darleene Powells, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
Investigators linked those pieces of evidence to a Facebook profile that resembled the decedent, the release states.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
The decedent’s wishes will be filled only with the remaining balance.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decedent
Cite this Entry
“Decedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decedent. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decedent
noun
de·ce·dent
di-ˈsēd-ᵊnt
: a deceased person
—used chiefly in law
Medical Definition
decedent
noun
de·ce·dent
di-ˈsēd-ᵊnt
: a deceased person
—used chiefly in law
Legal Definition
decedent
noun
de·ce·dent
di-ˈsēd-ᵊnt
: a deceased person
the estate of the decedent
Etymology
Latin decedent-, decedens, present participle of decedere to depart, die
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