deciduous

adjective

de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsi-jə-wəs How to pronounce deciduous (audio)
-jü-əs
1
biology : falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle
deciduous leaves
deciduous scales
2
biology
a
: having deciduous parts
maples, birches, and other deciduous trees
deciduous dentition
b
: having the dominant plants deciduous
a deciduous forest
3
: ephemeral
There is much that is deciduous in books …J. R. Lowell
deciduousness noun

Examples of deciduous in a Sentence

the bare branches of a deciduous tree in winter he chose not to fret about the deciduous discomforts of his existence
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.
In a sea of evergreens, these deciduous conifers blaze in brilliant shades of gold, standing out like lanterns against the darker forest. Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025 Aspen groves are not as predominant here and hikers will find a wider array of colors due to the range of deciduous tree varieties fed by additional moisture from springs and creeks. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Autumn is particularly stunning, with deciduous trees ablaze in a rainbow of color. Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 In full shade this deciduous shrub typically produces fewer flowers. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deciduous

Word History

Etymology

Latin deciduus, from decidere to fall off, from de- + cadere to fall — more at chance

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deciduous was in 1657

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deciduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deciduous. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

deciduous

adjective
de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsij-ə-wəs How to pronounce deciduous (audio)
1
: falling off (as at the end of a growing period or stage of development)
antlers are deciduous
deciduous leaves
2
: having deciduous parts or members with deciduous parts
deciduous trees
a deciduous forest

Medical Definition

deciduous

adjective
de·​cid·​u·​ous di-ˈsij-ə-wəs How to pronounce deciduous (audio)
1
: falling off or shed at a certain stage in the life cycle
2
: having deciduous parts
a deciduous dentition

More from Merriam-Webster on deciduous

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