embalm

verb

em·​balm im-ˈbä(l)m 

em-

embalmed; embalming; embalms

transitive verb

1

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

2

: to fill with sweet odors : perfume

3

: to protect from decay or oblivion : preserve

embalm a hero's memory

4

: to fix in a static condition

embalmer noun

embalmment

im-ˈbä(l)m-mənt 

em-

noun

Examples of embalm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Digest Scientists have identified the mysterious man discovered embalmed in a sarcophagus under the Notre-Dame Cathedral during renovations. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2024

The rest — more than 830 out of some 2,350 corpses since 2019 — were embalmed or placed in freezers. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024

His body was barely embalmed, indicating a lack of care in the mummification process, Saleem said in the news release. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 2 Aug. 2024

The embalming materials used were costly: juniper and frankincense, likely imported from East Africa or Southern Arabia. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embaumen, from Anglo-French enbaumer, enbasmer, from en- + basme balm — more at balm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

embalm

verb

em·​balm im-ˈbä(l)m 

: to treat a dead body with special preparations to preserve it from decay

embalmer noun

embalmment

-mənt 

noun

Medical Definition

embalm

transitive verb

em·​balm

im-ˈbä(l)m, New England also -ˈbȧm

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

embalmer noun

embalmment

-ˈbä(l)m-mənt 

noun