burial

noun

buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl 

ˈbe-rē-

also ˈbər-ē-

often attributive

1

: grave, tomb

2

: the act or process of burying

Synonyms of burial

• funeral
• interment
• entombment
• burying

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

While such Iron Age constructions are typically associated with status and authority, study author Lars Gustavsen argues that excavations have consistently failed to find any evidence of a burial. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026

The church, built on what is revered by many Christians as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection, remains closed under Israeli military guidelines prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people. —ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026

The church is believed to be the site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

With nothing left to do and with no other relatives known, Hereford made arrangements for his wife’s burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Fort Worth. —Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing burial

• burial ground
• burial plot

Rhymes for burial

• aerial
• areal
• ariel
• actuarial
• adversarial
• secretarial
• urticarial
• antimalarial
• biserial
• filarial
• malarial
• subaerial

Kids Definition

burial

noun

buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl 

: the act of burying