autumn

noun

au·​tumn ˈȯ-təm 

1

: the season between summer and winter comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November or as reckoned astronomically extending from the September equinox to the December solstice

called also fall

2

: a period of maturity or incipient decline

in the autumn of life

Synonyms

• afterlife
• afternoon
• age
• evening

Examples of autumn in a Sentence

in the autumn of last year

a magnificent New England autumn

She went off to college in the autumn of 1999.

When autumn came he planted grass.

Recent Examples on the Web

Between the lines: Gas prices typically drop in autumn and winter, as Americans drive less in cooler weather, reducing demand. —Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

Everything to Know About Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius Aries' Career and Finances Horoscope in 2025 Cast your attention to the early spring or onset of autumn, Aries! —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024

Thus, for centuries, St. Martin has been associated with geese, with his saint’s day celebrated at the end of the agricultural year, when geese fattened over the rich harvest months of autumn are finally slaughtered and cooked into delicious feast-day meals. —John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

This phenomenon is widespread in the Great Lakes area in late autumn and winter. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English autumpne, borrowed from Anglo-French autompne, borrowed from Latin autumnus (also an adjective, "autumnal"), perhaps a borrowing from Etruscan

Note: Ernout and Meillet (Dictionaire étymologique de la langue latine) regard an Etruscan origin as definite ("sans doute") and compare the form to Vertumnus/Vortumnus, claimed by Varro to be an Etruscan god. (The Romans regarded Vertumnus as a god of the changing seasons, by association with the verb vertere "to turn.")

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing autumn

• autumn crocus

Kids Definition

autumn

noun

au·​tumn ˈȯt-əm 

1

: the season between summer and winter including in the northern hemisphere usually the months of September, October, and November

called also fall

2

: a time late in an existence

in the autumn of life

autumnal

ȯ-ˈtəm-nəl 

adjective