senescence

noun

se·​nes·​cence si-ˈne-sᵊn(t)s 

1

: the state of being old : the process of becoming old or aging

The life of a mosquito—and this may be the only good news about the insect—is brutal and short. Roughly one in five die every day, and not from senescence.

—Gary Taubes

Until we're all brain patterns on computers, there are still forces that do not bend to our wants, including senescence and death.

—John Hodgman

2

: permanent arrest of the cell cycle in which cell division ceases

Cells divide as tissues develop and regenerate, but they can only do so a limited number of times. Eventually they stop dividing and enter a state called cellular senescence.

—Science

Cellular senescence is well correlated with the shortening of telomeres to less than the size required to maintain the integrity of chromosomes.

—Daniel A. Haber

3

: the growth phase in a plant or plant part (such as a leaf) from full maturity to death

… healthy leaves progress from active photosynthesis through senescence.

—B. N. Rock et al.

Did you know?

Senescence can be traced back to Latin senex, meaning "old." Can you guess which other English words come from senex? Senile might (correctly) come to mind, as well as senior. But another one might surprise you: senate. 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 senectitude, which, like senescence, refers to the state of being old (specifically, to the final stage of the normal life span).

Examples of senescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This can lead to cellular senescence—a process where cells stop dividing but do not die—triggering oxidative stress and inflammation that leads to biological aging and chronic diseases. —Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2024

Studies have shown that senescence in liver cells is highly indicative of underlying disease. —New Atlas, 20 Nov. 2024

In rich and poor countries alike, a coming wave of senescence stands to impose completely unfamiliar burdens on many societies. —Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024

And these diseases that are appearing are associated with the underlying process of senescence — aging, the aging of our cells, tissues, organs and organ systems that is immutable. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

senesc(ent) + -ence

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Medical Definition

senescence

noun

se·​nes·​cence si-ˈnes-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the state of being old : the process of becoming old or aging

Beyond determining the start and end of the reproductive lifespan and rates of fertility, consequences extend to the broad impact of hormonal exposure and epigenetic ageing on health and senescence more generally.

—Ben Bar-Sadeh et al., Nature Reviews Endocrinology

2

: permanent arrest of the cell cycle in which cell division ceases

Somatic cells are programmed to undergo only a limited number of cell divisions, after which they enter a state called senescence. … Cellular senescence is well correlated with the shortening of telomeres to less than the size required to maintain the integrity of chromosomes.

—Daniel A. Haber, ACP Medicine

The p53 tumour suppressor is activated by numerous stressors to induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, or senescence.

—Stuart D. Tyner et al., Nature