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

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

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