mortuary

1 of 2

adjective

mor·​tu·​ary ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē 

-chü-ˌer-

1

: of or relating to the burial of the dead

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of death

mortuary

2 of 2

noun

plural mortuaries

: a place in which dead bodies are kept until burial

especially : funeral home

Synonyms

Adjective

• dead
• deadly
• deathly
• mortal

Examples of mortuary in a Sentence

Adjective

the huge department store's mortuary atmosphere in its sad, last weeks of operation

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This is the first time that the physical remains of twins have been identified specifically in an ancient Maya sacrificial or mortuary context. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 June 2024

Jonathan Michael, a former NHS chief executive who led the inquiry, ultimately recommended surveillance cameras be installed in the mortuary and post-mortem room, and that non-mortuary workers and contractors be accompanied to the mortuary by another staff member. —Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2023

Noun

An investigation is ongoing, and the bodies were taken to University Hospital Galway's mortuary, police added. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 4 June 2025

The human remains have since been transported to the island of St. Vincent, where they are being held at the Kingstown mortuary for further forensic and investigative procedures. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin mortuarius of the dead, from mortuus dead

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mortuary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

mortuary

1 of 2 noun

mor·​tu·​ary ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē 

plural mortuaries

: a place in which the bodies of the dead are kept until burial

especially : funeral home

mortuary

2 of 2 adjective

: of or relating to death or burial of the dead

Medical Definition

mortuary

1 of 2 adjective

mor·​tu·​ary ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē 

1

: of or relating to the burial of the dead

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of death

mortuary

2 of 2 noun

plural mortuaries

: a place in which dead bodies are kept and prepared for burial or cremation