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

The latest lawsuit also raised questions about the funeral home’s management — claiming that same crematory manager had been promoted after previously allowing someone to sign off on a cremation without legal authorization from that decedent’s next of kin. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025

For 2025, the exemption amount for decedents is $13,990,000 per person or $27,980,000 per married couple. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025

The standard deduction increase for seniors is made permanent, adding $6,000, benefiting many decedents and beneficiaries. —Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

As Tweet puts it, decedents can no longer act for themselves. —Calista Oetama, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025

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