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
That’s because any unused exemption from the first spouse who dies can be passed to the surviving spouse, and the decedent’s estate can pass to the widow or widower tax free.
—
Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 20 July 2025
Toxicology reports are pending for all decedents, the coroner’s release said.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
For decedents dying in 2026 and beyond, up to $15 million (and $30 million for couples) is exempt from the federal estate tax, and this exemption will be indexed for inflation.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 4 July 2025
Thus, in the case of a decedent, the estate is held liable for the debt.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decedent
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Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 20 July 2025
Toxicology reports are pending for all decedents, the coroner’s release said.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
For decedents dying in 2026 and beyond, up to $15 million (and $30 million for couples) is exempt from the federal estate tax, and this exemption will be indexed for inflation.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 4 July 2025
Thus, in the case of a decedent, the estate is held liable for the debt.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 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 5 Aug. 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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