1
: a stand on which a corpse or coffin is placed
also
: a coffin together with its stand
2
archaic
: a framework for carrying
Examples of bier in a Sentence
lifted the bier from its stand and placed it in the hearse for its final journey
Recent Examples on the Web
While lying in state, the coffin was placed not on an elevated bier, but facing the pews.
—
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
In the past, the pope's body would be displayed on an elevated frame known as a bier.
—Alec Schemmel, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Inside the 16th-century basilica, his casket won't be put on an elevated bier—as was the case with past popes—but will just be placed on the main alta, simply facing the pews.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Last year, Francis approved new funeral rites stating his body should be on view in a simple coffin rather than being placed on an elevated bier, per the Associated Press.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
But, under the new funeral structure, the pope will be laid directly into an open coffin, eliminating the use of the bier.
—Alec Schemmel, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The German microbrewery/restaurant has installed new TVs in its bier hall and at the bar for your viewing pleasure.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
The Senate may well have all been murdered on Lucilla’s weird, theater-y funeral bier.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024
Among the changes, the new rites eliminate the practice of placing the pope on an elevated bier in St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Rachel Treisman, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
In the past, the pope's body would be displayed on an elevated frame known as a bier.
—Alec Schemmel, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Inside the 16th-century basilica, his casket won't be put on an elevated bier—as was the case with past popes—but will just be placed on the main alta, simply facing the pews.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Last year, Francis approved new funeral rites stating his body should be on view in a simple coffin rather than being placed on an elevated bier, per the Associated Press.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
But, under the new funeral structure, the pope will be laid directly into an open coffin, eliminating the use of the bier.
—Alec Schemmel, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The German microbrewery/restaurant has installed new TVs in its bier hall and at the bar for your viewing pleasure.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
The Senate may well have all been murdered on Lucilla’s weird, theater-y funeral bier.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024
Among the changes, the new rites eliminate the practice of placing the pope on an elevated bier in St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bier. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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bier
noun
: a stand on which a coffin is placed
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