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 masks were made directly on the decedents' skulls, covering their jaw and face.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Details on firearm ownership were missing for 23% of the decedents.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Over the past two decades, the investigation has included:
The creation of a potential forensic rendering of the decedent’s face based on cranial features.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Federal Estate Tax Exclusion The federal estate tax exclusion for decedents dying in 2026 will increase to $15,000,000 per person or $30,000,000 per married couple.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decedent
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Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Details on firearm ownership were missing for 23% of the decedents.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Over the past two decades, the investigation has included:
The creation of a potential forensic rendering of the decedent’s face based on cranial features.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Federal Estate Tax Exclusion The federal estate tax exclusion for decedents dying in 2026 will increase to $15,000,000 per person or $30,000,000 per married couple.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decedent
Cite this Entry
“Decedent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decedent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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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