burial

noun

buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl 

ˈbe-rē-,

 also  ˈbər-ē-

often attributive

1

: grave, tomb

2

: the act or process of burying

Synonyms

• burying
• entombing
• entombment
• inhumation
• interment
• interring
• obsequy
• obsequies
• sepulture

Examples of burial in a Sentence

They prepared the body for burial.

She wanted to give him a proper burial.

Did you attend the burial?

The law prohibits the burial of toxic substances without special permits.

Recent Examples on the Web

Los Angeles is currently burning and areas of Pasadena — Butler’s hometown, place of burial, and muse for her literary works — have either crumbled to ash or been evacuated entirely. —Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2025

Finally, the researchers conducted radiocarbon dating work on some of the remains, combining this with information from the stratigraphy (the sequence of burial) and dates for other materials found in the area. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025

The specific burial that researchers analyzed is known as Grave No. 63, located on the western edge of the site. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025

The boys’ mother, April Clark, and her family organized a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the search and to pay for burial costs. —Daniel Hunt, Sacramento Bee, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beriel, berial, back-formation from beriels (taken as a plural), from Old English byrgels; akin to Old Saxon burgisli tomb, Old English byrgan to bury — more at bury

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing burial

• burial ground
• burial plot

Kids Definition

burial

noun

buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl 

: the act of burying