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 Boulder County Coroner's Office will determine the cause of death and release the identity of the two people who died, and Montez said authorities have been in contact with the decedents' family. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

This asterisk notation is a result of strict data suppression rules enforced by NCHS for protecting the confidentiality of the decedent. — Denys T. Lau, STAT, 25 Sep. 2026

The decedent has been identified as Hayden Leslie Panettiere, 36, of California. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

The medical examiner's office is assessing the conditions of the remains and searching for documentation to identify the decedents, including their death certificates, Cook County said. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin decedent-, decedens, present participle of decedere — see decease

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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