octogenarian

noun oc·to·ge·nar·i·an \ ˌäk-tə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of octogenarian

: a person whose age is in the eighties

The octogenarian uses a cane for walking.

—

octogenarian

adjective

See octogenarian defined for English-language learners

See octogenarian defined for kids

Recent Examples of octogenarian from the Web

Raucous octogenarians gather for an aperitivo in late afternoon.

— denise davidson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "In new novel, Frances Mayes puts 'Women in Sunlight'," 15 Apr. 2018
Especially considering the fashion-minded octogenarian has sported them to work, including President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address in 2014, Sundance, and beyond.

— refinery29.com, "Photographic Proof Ruth Bader Ginsburg Has Always Loved Scrunchies," 21 Mar. 2018
And while some robust octogenarians have many years ahead of them, studies show that surgery is also common among those who are far more frail.

— liz szabo, USA TODAY, "Surgery near the end of life is common, costly — and often not what patients want," 28 Feb. 2018
And while some robust octogenarians have many years ahead of them, studies show that surgery is also common among those who are far more frail.

— liz szabo, Washington Post, "Never Too Late To Operate? Surgery Near End Of Life Is Common, Costly," 28 Feb. 2018
And while some robust octogenarians have many years ahead of them, studies show that surgery is also common among those who are far more frail.

— liz szabo, chicagotribune.com, "Never too late to operate? Surgery near end of life is common, costly," 13 Mar. 2018
But a half-dozen delegates and senators, including Currie, are octogenarians, and nearly 30, including Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) and House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) are in their 70s.

— Washington Post, "Wife of 80-year-old state senator accompanies him to work each day. Some say she assists him with duties.," 11 Feb. 2018
But during weekday mornings and afternoons, about the only noise is the slap of cards or dominoes or mahjong tiles as two- to three-dozen sexagenarians, septuagenarians and octogenarians pass the day playing and catching up with friends.

— richard a. marini, San Antonio Express-News, "Pizza joint serving kids by night, card-shark seniors by day," 2 Mar. 2018
The coming election marks a generational shift in power, a last hurrah for the octogenarians who fought alongside Fidel and Raúl Castro during the Cuban Revolution, and the introduction of the protagonists of Cuba’s future.

— mimi whitefield, miamiherald, "Voices from Cuba: Cubans contemplate a non-Castro president and a new generation of leaders | Miami Herald," 1 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of octogenarian

Latin octogenarius containing eighty, from octogeni eighty each, from octoginta eighty, from octo eight + -ginta (akin to viginti twenty) — more at vigesimal

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1815

See Words from the same year

OCTOGENARIAN Defined for English Language Learners

octogenarian

noun

Definition of octogenarian for English Language Learners

: a person who is between 80 and 89 years old

Medical Dictionary

octogenarian

noun oc·to·ge·nar·i·an \ ˌäk-tə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən \

medical Definition of octogenarian

: a person whose age is in the eighties

—

octogenarian

adjective

Learn More about octogenarian

See words that rhyme with octogenarian Nglish: Translation of octogenarian for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up octogenarian? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

octogenarian

Definition of octogenarian

octogenarian

Recent Examples of octogenarian from the Web

Origin and Etymology of octogenarian

OCTOGENARIAN Defined for English Language Learners

octogenarian

Definition of octogenarian for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

octogenarian

medical Definition of octogenarian

octogenarian

Learn More about octogenarian

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

headlong

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix'?

'Altho' vs. 'Although'

A Brief History of 'Potshot'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Name That Thing

Bee Cubed

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

octogenarian

Definition of octogenarian

octogenarian

Recent Examples of octogenarian from the Web

Origin and Etymology of octogenarian

OCTOGENARIAN Defined for English Language Learners

octogenarian

Definition of octogenarian for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

octogenarian

medical Definition of octogenarian

octogenarian

Learn More about octogenarian

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes