autumn

American  

[aw-tuhm] / ˈɔ təm /

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.

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autumn British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of autumn

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

Example Sentences

Even Nvidia, the undisputed champion of artificial intelligence chipmaking and the beating heart of the broader AI boom, has slumped 18% since the tech trade turned sour last autumn.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Rachel Reeves said it was "too early" to say exactly who would get help but hinted any support would not arrive until the autumn.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Separately, the government announced spring and autumn school holidays and is encouraging staggered paid leave—moves that could lift family-oriented tourism and leisure spending.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Even when air temperatures fall below freezing in autumn, the ocean retains heat longer, delaying the formation of solid ice along the coast.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

The air was fresh, with the sharp edge you felt only in autumn, though we didn’t see a single hummingbear when we passed the blue willows at the river’s edge.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate