posthumous

American  

[pos-chuh-muhs, -choo-] / ˈpɒs tʃə məs, -tʃʊ- /

adjective

1. arising, occurring, or continuing after one's death.

   a posthumous award for bravery.

2. published after the death of the author.

   a posthumous novel.

3. born after the death of the father.

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posthumous British  

/ ˈpɒstjʊməs /

adjective

1. happening or continuing after one's death

2. (of a book, etc) published after the author's death

3. (of a child) born after the father's death

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Other Word Forms

• nonposthumous adjective
• posthumously adverb
• posthumousness noun

Etymology

Origin of posthumous

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin postumus “last-born, born after the death of the father” (in form a superlative of posterus; posterior ); post-classical spelling with h by association with humus “ground, earth,” as if referring to burial

Example Sentences

Catherine O’Hara won a posthumous Actor Award for actress in a comedy series for her role in “The Studio.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

He died last July, just weeks after a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, and the Brits will honour him on Saturday with a posthumous lifetime achievement award.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

There is no escaping the fact that by watching “Love Story,” we are engaging in a posthumous version of the very same thing.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Sunday paid tribute to Afrobeat king Fela Kuti after his posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys, the first African artist to be honoured this way.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

I had heard such predictions all my life from Malcolm and all his posthumous followers who hollered that the Dreamers must reap what they sow.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates