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
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
This small deciduous tree's exquisite blossoms show up before the leaves each year.
—Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
The horticultural importance of vernalization – cold exposure to induce flowering or other physiological processes – is not restricted to deciduous fruit trees.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Remove fruits from nectarines, plums and other deciduous fruit trees planted this year or last.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
In the springtime, pollen from deciduous trees plagues the area.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deciduous
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Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2025
The horticultural importance of vernalization – cold exposure to induce flowering or other physiological processes – is not restricted to deciduous fruit trees.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2025
Remove fruits from nectarines, plums and other deciduous fruit trees planted this year or last.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
In the springtime, pollen from deciduous trees plagues the area.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deciduous
Cite this Entry
“Deciduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deciduous. Accessed 24 Apr. 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
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