bury

verb

ˈber-ē 

ˈbe-rē

also ˈbər-

buried; burying

transitive verb

1

: to dispose of by depositing in or as if in the earth

cultures that bury their dead

especially : to inter with funeral ceremonies

was buried with full military honors

2

a

: to conceal by or as if by covering with earth

a dog burying a bone

buried treasure

b

: to cover from view

buried her face in her hands

Their car was buried under the snow.

3

a

: to have done with

burying their differences

b

: to conceal in obscurity

buried the retraction among the classified ads

c

: submerge, engross

—usually used with in

buried himself in his books

4

: to put (a playing card) out of play by placing it in or under the dealer's pack

5

sports : to succeed emphatically or impressively in making (a shot)

bury a jumper

bury a putt

6

: to defeat overwhelmingly

They were buried by a score of 15-2.

see also:

bury the hatchet

Synonyms of bury

• inter
• hide
• lay
• tomb

Choose the Right Synonym for bury

hide, conceal, screen, secrete, bury mean to withhold or withdraw from sight.

hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet

a house hidden in the woods

conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

Examples of bury in a Sentence

He was buried with full military honors.

Their ancestors are buried in the local cemetery.

cultures that bury their dead

The dog buried her bone.

He buried the money in the backyard.

the search for buried treasure

He has learned to bury his feelings.

She buried her face in her hands.

The disclaimer was buried in the fine print.

The newspaper covered the story, but it was buried in the back of section C.

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, more than 40 state lawmakers are warning that a provision buried in the new state budget could undo their progress. — Gio Insignares, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Off a cross from Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham shook off defenders en route to the left side of the box, and buried home a left-footed shot toward the far post. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026

The glamorous metallic leather strap is also a standout compared to the other flip-flops buried in your closet, making for Instagram-worthy travel outfits. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

For just the second time in the nearly 50-year history of the Islamic Republic, the country has buried a supreme leader. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English burien, birien, beryen, going back to Old English byrgan, byrian, going back to Germanic *burgjan-, probably meaning "to conceal" (whence also Old Norse byrgja "to close, shut, hide"), zero-grade derivative from the base of *bergan- "to keep safe" — more at harbor entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bury

• bury the hatchet

Rhymes for bury

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

Kids Definition

bury

verb

ˈber-ē 

buried; burying

1

: to place a dead body in the earth, a grave, or the sea

2

: to place in the ground and cover over for concealment

buried treasure

3

: to cover up : hide

buried her face in her hands

Geographical Definition

Bury

geographical name

ˈber-ē 

town in Greater Manchester, northwestern England population 172,200