burial

noun

buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl How to pronounce burial (audio)
ˈbe-rē-,
 also  ˈbər-ē-
often attributive
1
: grave, tomb
2
: the act or process of 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
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.
Two months into the ordeal, Kramer documents Atzili’s release from captivity and her husband’s burial. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 The health ministry official told CNN that some of the remains appeared to have been exhumed after burial. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 The search for Egypt’s last queen For nearly 20 years, Martínez has dedicated her work to locating Cleopatra’s burial site, a mystery that has eluded archaeologists for centuries. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 His mother, Leah, has been fighting for more than a decade to give her son a proper burial. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for burial

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of burial was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burial. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

burial

noun
buri·​al ˈber-ē-əl How to pronounce burial (audio)
: the act of burying

More from Merriam-Webster on burial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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