# posthumous

/ˈpɑstʃʊməs/ (US) · /pˈəʊsthjuːməs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/posthumous
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

happening or published after someone has died. You use this to describe things like books, awards, or babies that come into the world after the person is gone.

For teachers: occurring or published after the death of the person in question. Often used to describe creative works, awards, or offspring released or recognized after the individual's passing.

## Examples

- The author received a posthumous award for his life's work.
- The baby was born posthumously, just hours after her mother passed away in the hospital.
- The novel was published posthumously, revealing a series of personal letters that had been hidden for decades and providing new insight into the author's final years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.