aftermath

noun af·ter·math \ -ˌmath \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Examples: aftermath in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Breaking Down aftermath

Definition of aftermath

1 : a second-growth crop — called also rowen

2 : consequence, result

stricken with guilt as an aftermath of the accident

3 : the period immediately following a usually ruinous event

in the aftermath of the war

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See aftermath defined for kids

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Examples of aftermath in a Sentence

the surgery was successful, but she now had to deal with its aftermath: a huge bill

Recent Examples of aftermath from the Web

Sir Martin’s inquiry into the causes and aftermath of the fire published preliminary findings on June 4th.

— The Economist, "Grenfell’s long shadow," 9 June 2018
President Trump's administration has been criticized by opponents for its handling of the hurricane's aftermath; for instance, eight months later, full power has yet to be restored.

— CBS News, "Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York to spotlight post-hurricane struggle," 9 June 2018
For Power, the immediate aftermath of the victory included a trip to New York with his wife, Liz, for a media tour.

— dave caldwell, New York Times, "Why Will Power Could Not Contain Himself After Winning the Indianapolis 500," 8 June 2018
The locker room was subdued after a hot afternoon in Kansas City, the aftermath of Sporting KC’s scoreless draw with Columbus.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "How a grueling practice rejuvenated Sporting KC (and what that says about this team)," 8 June 2018
Even though many of the services offered to evacuees are no longer there, the Humboldt Park Field House still operates as an important public space in Maria's aftermath.

— katie powers, Chicago Reader, "Film / Arts / Visual Art / Neighborhoods New documentary Public Park illuminates Chicago's role in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria," 7 June 2018
Her son Mohammed, 19, who had testified about witnessing the aftermath of the killing, opened his mouth wide, but no words came out.

— bruce selcraig, San Antonio Express-News, "Courtroom emotions high after jurors convict S.A. mom of murder," 7 June 2018
In the shooting’s aftermath, many state legislators and members of Congress have called for increased security measures at the nation’s schools, such as fewer entry points at buildings and more locked doors on campuses.

— Washington Post, "Video details the moments before Florida school shooting," 7 June 2018
Cooke said the district would be evaluating its use of the mobile classrooms. *** Helping her daughter cope with the shooting's aftermathSitting next to Duell's laptop on the kitchen table is a letter from Rep. Susan Brook's office.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Noblesville parents wanted more security. Then a school shooting happened to them.," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aftermath.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Breaking Down aftermath

Aftermath dates to the late 1400s and was originally an agricultural term. Its two parts are transparent—but only if you're familiar with an ancient word math that is now used only in British dialectal English and that means "a mowing of a grass or hay crop" and also refers to the crop that is gathered. The original aftermath came, of course, after the math: it was historically the crop of (usually) grass cut, grazed, or plowed under after the first crop of the season from the same soil. It wasn't until the mid-late 1600s that aftermath developed its other meanings, both of which are now far more common than the first.

Origin and Etymology of aftermath

after- + math "mowing," going back to Middle English *math, going back to a short-vowel variant (perhaps of Germanic date) of Old English mǣþ, going back to Germanic *mēþa- (whence Old Saxon mād- —in māddag "mowing day"—, Old High German āmād "aftermath"), derivative with the nominal suffix *-to- from the base of *mēan- "to ²mow"

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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