Autumn, also known as fall in North American English, [1] is one of the four temperate seasons on Earth. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, beginning in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March (Southern Hemisphere).
⚡ Quick summary Autumn, also called fall, is the transitional season between summer and winter, marked by cooler temperatures, shorter days, and leaves changing color and falling. Explore the meaning, history, and usage of the word autumn, which dates back to the 1300s, alongside the later term fall and related words like harvest.
In 2026, the autumnal (fall) equinox arrives on Tuesday, September 22. Here's everything you should know about the first day of fall—plus our favorite fall facts, folklore, photos, and more!
autumn, season of the year between summer and winter during which temperatures gradually decrease. It is often called fall in the United States because leaves fall from the trees at that time.