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

Does the location, position, posture and state of the decedent and the people who reported the death make sense? — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 July 2026

The identities of the two decedents and their causes of death will be released by the medical examiner’s office. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Two of the decedents were members of the Wabasha Fire Department, the chief confirmed. — Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 July 2026

The cost of those reports will increase from $17 to $28 each, but one free copy will still be provided to a decedent’s next of kin. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin decedent-, decedens, present participle of decedere — see decease

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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