obsolescent

[ob-suh-les-uh nt] /ˌɒb səˈlɛs ənt/

adjective

becoming obsolete; passing out of use, as a word:

an obsolescent term.

becoming outdated or outmoded, as machinery or weapons.

Biology. gradually disappearing or imperfectly developed, as vestigial organs.

Origin

1745-55; < Latin obsolēscent- (stem of obsolēscēns, present participle of obsolēscere to fall into disuse). See obsolete, -escent

Related forms

obsolescently, adverb

Can be confused

archaic, obsolescent, obsolete.

obsolescent, obsolete.

Examples from the web for obsolescent

Indeed, it could be obsolescent only a few years after it enters service.
The light bulb producing companies would go out of business if they did not build their products to become obsolescent.
Many public facilities are aging or obsolescent and have suffered from deferred maintenance.
Only those obsolescent and un-maintained buildings suffered structural damage and only in isolated instances.
In the first place, the old station was obsolescent, and maintenance was a serious problem.
Moreover, shifting regulatory schemes unavoidably leave obsolescent regulations in their wake.
Investment is directed to the new growth areas while sections of central cities grow older and more obsolescent.
No new ingot casting facilities are projected to be built because it is an obsolescent technology.

British Dictionary definitions for obsolescent

/ˌɒbsəˈlɛsənt/

adjective

becoming obsolete or out of date

Derived Forms

obsolescence, noun
obsolescently, adverb

Word Origin

C18: from Latin obsolescere; see obsolete

Word Origin and History for obsolescent

adj.

1755, from Latin obsolescentum (nominative obsolescens), present participle of obsolescere "fall into disuse" (see obsolete).