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

But he says nothing about its posthumous Off Broadway production, in 2023, which played to packed houses and mixed reviews — not quite the valedictory Sondheim would have wanted.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne was awarded a posthumous lifetime achievement award, seven months after his death at the age of 76.

From BBC

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

I confess I’m not impervious to the posthumous allure.

From Los Angeles Times