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
Probate is the process to transfer assets to heirs and beneficiaries regardless of whether the decedent died with a Last Will and Testament.
—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. Ll.m. Mba Aep Tep, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The decedent, Kevin McDonald, reportedly brandished an unregistered rifle at the officers, who later pulled machine guns, explosives and numerous other firearms from the home.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
As of Thursday, two individuals — identified as Hackman, G. and Hackman, B. — are still noted on the New Mexico medical investigator’s list of unclaimed decedents.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Six years later, Drue’s wife Kelly is now asking a North Carolina court to issue a declaratory judgement that she and her children are entitled to Drue’s 50% stake in Winthrop and that neither the company nor Brooks have a right to any proceeds from the decedent’s life insurance policy.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decedent
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Priya Prakash Royal Esq. Ll.m. Mba Aep Tep, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The decedent, Kevin McDonald, reportedly brandished an unregistered rifle at the officers, who later pulled machine guns, explosives and numerous other firearms from the home.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
As of Thursday, two individuals — identified as Hackman, G. and Hackman, B. — are still noted on the New Mexico medical investigator’s list of unclaimed decedents.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Six years later, Drue’s wife Kelly is now asking a North Carolina court to issue a declaratory judgement that she and her children are entitled to Drue’s 50% stake in Winthrop and that neither the company nor Brooks have a right to any proceeds from the decedent’s life insurance policy.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 26 Mar. 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 11 May. 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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