autumn

[aw-tuhm]

noun

1. the season between summer and winter; fall. In the Northern Hemisphere it is from the September equinox to the December solstice; in the Southern Hemisphere it is from the March equinox to the June solstice.

2. a time of full maturity, especially the late stages of full maturity or, sometimes, the early stages of decline.

   to be in the autumn of one's life.

autumn

/ ˈɔːtəm /

noun

1. (sometimes capital)

   1. Also called (esp US): fall. the season of the year between summer and winter, astronomically from the September equinox to the December solstice in the N hemisphere and from the March equinox to the June solstice in the S hemisphere

   2. ( as modifier )

      autumn leaves

2. a period of late maturity, esp one followed by a decline

Word History and Origins

Origin of autumn¹

1325–75; < Latin autumnus; replacing Middle English autumpne < Middle French autompne < Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of autumn¹

C14: from Latin autumnus, perhaps of Etruscan origin

Example Sentences

These are the kind of ingredients that could fan the flames in the Epstein story as summer turns to autumn.

From BBC

Meanwhile the most recent British Social Attitudes survey, conducted last autumn, showed that a record 59% are dissatisfied with the NHS.

From BBC

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said funding plans would be set out this autumn.

From BBC

Charlie Nunn, the chief executive of Lloyds Bank, has previously spoken out against any potential tax rises for banks in the government's Budget announcement this autumn.

From BBC

The King's trip to Birmingham, his first engagement of the autumn, had previously been postponed after he'd been taken ill with an adverse response to his cancer treatment.

From BBC