deciduous
adjective
de·cid·u·ous
di-ˈsi-jə-wəs 
-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
J. R. Lowell
deciduousness
noun
Synonyms
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
When deciduous trees’ leaves turn green in spring, water and nutrients flow through their vascular systems, which can be related to human blood vessels.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Plant dormant deciduous trees and shrubs during warmer periods of early or late winter, when the soil is not expected to freeze for four to six weeks after planting.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
These are characterized by temperate deciduous forest species such as tulip trees, oaks, and hickories.
—Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025
Plants moved in: an ecological succession of lichens, mosses, grasses, shrubs, and deciduous trees.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deciduous 
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.
Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Plant dormant deciduous trees and shrubs during warmer periods of early or late winter, when the soil is not expected to freeze for four to six weeks after planting.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2025
These are characterized by temperate deciduous forest species such as tulip trees, oaks, and hickories.
—Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025
Plants moved in: an ecological succession of lichens, mosses, grasses, shrubs, and deciduous trees.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deciduous
Articles Related to deciduous
Dictionary Entries Near deciduous
Cite this Entry
“Deciduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deciduous. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deciduous
adjective
de·cid·u·ous
di-ˈsij-ə-wəs
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
1
: falling off or shed at a certain stage in the life cycle
2
: having deciduous parts
a deciduous dentition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share