elderly

1 of 2

adjective

el·​der·​ly ˈel-dər-lē How to pronounce elderly (audio)
1
a
: rather old
especially : being past middle age
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of later life or elderly persons
elderliness noun

elderly

2 of 2

noun

plural elderly or elderlies
: an elderly person

Examples of elderly in a Sentence

Adjective The program is intended to provide medical care for elderly people. elderly people who stay active are usually the healthiest and the happiest
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Members of the New Orleans Police Department investigate a carjacking scene on N. Pierce St. that resulted in an elderly woman's death in New Orleans, La., Monday, March 21, 2022. CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023 This can cause serious infections in young children, elderly people, or immunocompromised people. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 20 Nov. 2023 Carter was a champion of mental health care as first lady and devoted herself to several social causes in the course of her public life, including programs that supported health care resources, human rights, social justice and the needs of elderly people. Josh Feldman, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023 And poor people and elderly people who still rely on cash are increasingly being discriminated against by these sorts of cashless systems. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Nov. 2023 Another portion of the funds raised would go toward paying pension increases to elderly Danes, according to the report. Michael Lee, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2023 Some were waving white flags; a few of the most elderly and infirm were pushed on rudimentary carts as Israeli troops positioned on tanks watched on. Loay Ayyoub, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023 The person who died was elderly and had multiple underlying health conditions, according to the county Department of Public Health. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 Four-year-olds, nine-year-olds, eleven-year-olds, ten-year-olds, mothers, elderly. Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elderly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elderly was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near elderly

Cite this Entry

“Elderly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderly. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

elderly

adjective
el·​der·​ly
ˈel-dər-lē
1
: rather old
especially : past middle age
2
: of or relating to later life or elderly persons
elderliness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on elderly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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