exhume

verb

ex·​hume ig-ˈzüm 

igz-ˈyüm, 

iks-ˈ(h)yüm 

exhumed; exhuming

transitive verb

1

: disinter

exhume a body

2

: to bring back from neglect or obscurity

exhumed a great deal of information from the archives

exhumation

ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən 

ˌeg-zü-, 

ˌegz-yü- 

noun

exhumer

ig-ˈzü-mər 

igz-ˈyü-, 

iks-ˈ(h)yü-

noun

Synonyms of exhume

• unearth

Examples of exhume in a Sentence

the remains of John Paul Jones were exhumed in Paris and transported with great ceremony to the U.S. Naval Academy

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2007, the sheriff’s department re-examined the case and exhumed Summerfield Jane Doe’s body. —Audrey Abrahams, NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026

First dozens, then hundreds and eventually more than 1,500 remains were exhumed and re-interred at the park alongside the spot. —Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026

Palestinians living nearby said remains exhumed during the search were left exposed in the cemetery without reburial. —Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026

Under Marcos, efforts began to exhume those slain in the drug war and relitigate their crimes. —Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin exhumare, from Latin ex out of + humus earth — more at ex-, humble

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exhume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

exhume

verb

ex·​hume igz-ˈ(y)üm 

iks-ˈ(h)yüm

exhumed; exhuming

: to remove from a place of burial

exhumation

ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən 

ˌegz-(y)ü-

noun

Medical Definition

exhume

transitive verb

ex·​hume igz-ˈ(y)üm  iks-ˈ(h)yüm 

exhumed; exhuming

: disinter

the body was exhumed for an autopsy

exhumation

ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən  ˌegz-(y)ü- 

noun