senescent
Americanadjective
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growing old; aging.
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Cell Biology. (of a cell) no longer capable of dividing but still alive and metabolically active.
adjective
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growing old
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characteristic of old age
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of senescent
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin senēscent- (stem of senēscēns ) present participle of senēscere “to grow old,” equivalent to sen- “old” + -ēscent- -escent
Explanation
Something senescent is growing old or is elderly. Senescent things are deteriorating. Senescent and senile have something in common — the Latin root senex which means "old.” A baby or even a teenager would not be described as senescent because they're youthful and full of life. A nursing home is full of people who could be described as senescent; they’re old. "The Who" was going to sing “hope I die before I get senescent,” but it just didn’t have the same ring to it.
Vocabulary lists containing senescent
This Week In Words: August 31–September 6, 2019
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Ancient Wisdom: Synonyms for "Old"
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The Last Cuentista
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The researchers also found that ABT-263 reduced senescent cells in aged mice without producing the same effect in young mice.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
The findings point toward a possible new approach to improving wound repair as people age: removing senescent cells before the healing process begins.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
In particular, mitochondria in senescent cells produced increased amounts of acetyl-CoA, an important molecule involved in metabolism.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
As a result, senescent neutrophils begin accumulating in the bloodstream and tissues.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026
In one thin arm, threaded with veins in a kind of senescent bas-relief, was a basket.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
