cremains

plural noun

cre·​mains kri-ˈmānz How to pronounce cremains (audio)
: the ashes of a cremated human body

Examples of cremains in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Seventy-eight years after the infamous Nazi death camp was liberated by Allied forces, the ashes from human cremains commingle with the clouds and sky above. Malina Saval, Variety, 26 Jan. 2023 These cremains become permanent, forever present in the lives of those left behind. Maggie Donahue, Longreads, 25 Oct. 2022 The unclaimed cremains of five military veterans have been buried with full honors at a national cemetery in southwestern Michigan. Fox News, 14 Nov. 2022 More than 50 volunteers assisted in taking the cremains out of wicker caskets. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Oct. 2019 The 171 unclaimed cremains have been stored at the coroner’s office, McGinty said. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Sep. 2022 Over 50% of the burials at the Viroqua Cemetery are of cremains, Frie said. Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 The solemn remembrance ceremony included the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Patriot Guard Riders escorting three CFDA hearses containing the cremains from the DVA Rocky Hill Campus to the Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2022 One of the significant portions of her exhibit is a costume made of her late mother’s clothing and masks made of her cremains and paper clay. Pam McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cremains.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

blend of cremated and remains

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cremains was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near cremains

Cite this Entry

“Cremains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cremains. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

cremains

noun plural
cre·​mains kri-ˈmānz How to pronounce cremains (audio)
: the ashes of a cremated human body
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