burial

noun

buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl How to pronounce burial (audio)
ˈbe-rē-,
 also  ˈbər-ē-
often attributive
1
: grave, tomb
2
: the act or process of burying

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The second meaning relates to how people tend to bury painful memories and refuse to confront past traumas… This form of soft burial is also a burial of time. John Ruwitch, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025 The update shared on his page stated that information about his wake and burial would be released soon. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025 The live hostages must come home to be physically and psychologically rehabilitated, and the deceased must return to have proper and respectful burials. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025 Twenty-three other graves, possibly indicating a familial or community burial site, were found nearby. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for burial 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of burial was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near burial

Cite this Entry

“Burial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burial. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

burial

noun
buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl How to pronounce burial (audio)
: the act of burying

More from Merriam-Webster on burial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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