crematorium

noun

cre·​ma·​to·​ri·​um ˌkrē-mə-ˈtȯr-ē-əm 

ˌkre-

plural crematoria ˌkrē-mə-ˈtȯr-ē-ə 

ˌkre-

or crematoriums

: an establishment or structure in which the bodies of the dead are cremated

He had two funerals in the morning, both bodies due for the crematorium afterward …

—Jack Higgins

The depositions enabled the commission to gather further evidence from coroners and from the files in morgues, mortuaries and crematoriums.

—Alfred Stepan

Examples of crematorium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In his sonorous, sandpaper voice, Cohen sang what could be interpreted as a ‘til-death-do-us-part love song, but the lyrics were inspired by death camp prisoners who were led to crematoriums accompanied by a string ensemble during the Holocaust. —Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024

Victor, the Polish Worker Who Willingly Reports on Site The novel shares the story of Lale’s relationship with Victor, a Polish worker who is paid to work at the camp and build the crematoriums. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

crematorium

noun

cre·​ma·​to·​ri·​um ˌkrē-mə-ˈtōr-ē-əm 

ˌkrem-ə-,

-ˈtȯr-

plural crematoriums or crematoria -ē-ə 

: crematory entry 1

Medical Definition

crematorium

noun

cre·​ma·​to·​ri·​um ˌkrē-mə-ˈtōr-ē-əm, ˌkrem-ə-, -ˈtȯr- 

plural crematoriums or crematoria -ē-ə 

: crematory