burial

noun

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

Synonyms of burial

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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.
This spring, archaeologists in Croatia announced the discovery of ancient Roman graves beneath the coastal city of Zadar — revealing a burial site used for nearly 500 years. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 With her years of research and immersion, Grant notes that burials and grave markers have become so much more personal over the course of time. — Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Grace Episcopal Church says its centuries-old cemetery has room for only 14 more burials. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Pomeroy’s team led subsequent research, which began new excavations at the site in 2015, that has cast doubt on the flower burial theory. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing burial

Rhymes for burial

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Browse Nearby Words

buri
burial
burial case
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Cite this Entry

“Burial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burial. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

burial

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

More from Merriam-Webster on burial

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burial

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