Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for January 3, 2026 is:
 
 
 
 
 senescence &#149; \sih-NESS-unss\&nbsp; &#149; noun
 Senescence is a formal and technical word that refers to the state of being old or the process of becoming old.

// Our grandparents, now in their senescence, are enjoying spending more time with family and going on new adventures together. 

<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senescence">See the entry ></a>
 
 
 
 Examples:
 “<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pilates">Pilates</a> provides improvements in core strength, flexibility and balance, even when done just once a week. It can help with stress relief, as well as anxiety and depression. Among those 60 years of age and older, Pilates has even been shown to slow the process of senescence.” — Leah Asmelash, CNN, 7 Sept. 2025 
 
 
 
 Did you know?
 Senescence can be traced back to Latin senex, meaning “old.” Can you guess which other English words come from senex? <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senile">Senile</a> might (correctly) come to mind, as well as <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senior">senior</a>. But another one might surprise you: <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senate">senate</a>. This word for a legislative assembly dates back to ancient Rome, where the Senatus was originally a council of elders composed of the heads of patrician families. There's also the much rarer <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senectitude">senectitude</a>, which, like senescence, refers to the state of being old (specifically, to the final stage of the normal life span).

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