columbarium

noun

col·​um·​bar·​i·​um ˌkä-ləm-ˈber-ē-əm 

plural columbaria ˌkä-ləm-ˈber-ē-ə 

1

: a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns

2

: a recess in a columbarium

Examples of columbarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His grave is near the path dividing the southernmost section of the cemetery from the columbarium wall, where the urns are housed. —David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2023

For lack of a better option, both were placed in the columbarium, two more Does for the cemetery, and another story waiting to be told. Ask a historian David Reamer writes about Anchorage history, from murders and neighborhoods to churches and chinchillas. —David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2023

The license for the Eternity At Sea columbarium was not renewed in 1999 by the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board. —Jeastman, oregonlive, 29 Mar. 2023

The cemetery provides gravesite and columbarium facilities and various burial alternatives to roughly 235,000 veterans in San Diego County, according to the National Cemetery Administration. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2023

The owners opened the Eternity At Sea columbarium. —Jeastman, oregonlive, 29 Mar. 2023

In a columbarium? —Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2022

These early forays turned up a number of marvels: a columbarium, filled with urns containing ashes and bones, as well as the largest Imperial-era reservoir yet found and a number of aqueducts. —Richard Pallardy, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2021

Cremated remains may be scattered, kept at home, buried in a cemetery or interred in a columbarium. —Kevin Brasler, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, dovecote, from columba dove

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1