pallbearer

noun

pall·​bear·​er ˈpȯl-ˌber-ər How to pronounce pallbearer (audio)
: a person who helps to carry the coffin at a funeral
also : a member of the escort or honor guard of the coffin who does not actually help to carry it

Examples of pallbearer in a Sentence

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.
Neves converted the penalty that clinched the Nations League in Jota’s final game, before serving as a pallbearer at the funeral of his former Porto and Wolves team-mate. Jack Bantock, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 One of the most famous Palestinian reporters at the time, Abu Akleh’s death drew hundreds of thousands of mourners, while Israeli police beat pallbearers at her funeral service. Maha Nassar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025 But by the time Ming’s coffin was rolled out by eight pallbearers to two long rows of saluting law enforcement personnel, the sun’s bright light beamed down onto the stadium; reminiscent of another bright light, as Ming’s personality was often described by loved ones, that will be greatly missed. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025 Although the Pinellas County Forensic Science Center reports Hogan was approved to be cremated, eight pallbearers carried a casket into the church. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pallbearer

Word History

Etymology

pall entry 2

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pallbearer was in 1949

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Cite this Entry

“Pallbearer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pallbearer. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pallbearer

noun
pall·​bear·​er ˈpȯl-ˌbar-ər How to pronounce pallbearer (audio)
-ˌber-
: a person who helps to carry the coffin at a funeral

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