Posthumous means happening or appearing after someone's death. When an author's novel is published posthumously, it comes out after the author has died. When a soldier receives a posthumous medal for bravery, the medal is awarded after they've fallen in battle.

It usually describes honors, awards, or creative works. Vincent van Gogh became posthumously famous: during his lifetime, he sold only one painting, but after his death, people recognized his genius. Many musicians have posthumous albums released from recordings they made before they died.

You'll also see posthumous describing children born after their father's death, though this meaning is less common today. The word captures something bittersweet: recognition or achievement that comes too late for the person to enjoy it. When we honor someone posthumously, we're acknowledging their contributions even though they can't be there to receive our gratitude directly.