autumn

noun

au·​tumn ˈȯ-təm How to pronounce autumn (audio)
1
: the season between summer and winter comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November or as reckoned astronomically extending from the September equinox to the December solstice

called also fall

2
: a period of maturity or incipient decline
in the autumn of life

Examples of autumn in a Sentence

in the autumn of last year a magnificent New England autumn She went off to college in the autumn of 1999. When autumn came he planted grass.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When cut back in the fall, roses send nutrients out into the far reaches of the plant, reversing the downward flow of nutrients that is prevalent in autumn. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2024 The multi-course meal reimagines fall flavors with a creative twist, offering a vibrant array of seasonal dishes that showcase the best of what autumn’s bounty has to offer. Roger Sands, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024 Indeed, on that autumn evening, the SoHo showroom was overflowing with good company. Mel Studach, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024 Length of Night: The lengthening nights in autumn signal trees to prepare for winter. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for autumn 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English autumpne, borrowed from Anglo-French autompne, borrowed from Latin autumnus (also an adjective, "autumnal"), perhaps a borrowing from Etruscan

Note: Ernout and Meillet (Dictionaire étymologique de la langue latine) regard an Etruscan origin as definite ("sans doute") and compare the form to Vertumnus/Vortumnus, claimed by Varro to be an Etruscan god. (The Romans regarded Vertumnus as a god of the changing seasons, by association with the verb vertere "to turn.")

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of autumn was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Autumn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autumn. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

autumn

noun
au·​tumn ˈȯt-əm How to pronounce autumn (audio)
1
: the season between summer and winter including in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November

called also fall

2
: a time late in an existence
in the autumn of life
autumnal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on autumn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!