embalm

verb

em·​balm im-ˈbä(l)m 

em-

embalmed; embalming; embalms

transitive verb

1

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

2

: to fill with sweet odors : perfume

3

: to protect from decay or oblivion : preserve

embalm a hero's memory

4

: to fix in a static condition

embalmer noun

embalmment

im-ˈbä(l)m-mənt 

em-

noun

Examples of embalm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Licensing requirements can vary by state, and some states require additional licenses for different aspects of mortuary science and funeral direction, such as cremation, running a funeral home or embalming, according to Indeed.com. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025

Sheriff’s deputies escorted his corpse to the nearest mortuary, where undertaker Joseph Johnson embalmed him with arsenic and waited for someone to claim the body. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025

The first was molecules from embalming ingredients such as oils, waxes and unguents. —Sarah Everts, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025

The first, an embalming student, reportedly saw Laudermilk stab the corpse twice in the groin before cutting off the corpse's genitals and placing them in its mouth. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embaumen, from Anglo-French enbaumer, enbasmer, from en- + basme balm — more at balm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for embalm

• aplomb
• balaam
• cocom
• islam
• pogrom
• salaam
• sitcom
• balm
• bom
• bomb
• calm
• dom

Kids Definition

embalm

verb

em·​balm im-ˈbä(l)m 

: to treat a dead body with special preparations to preserve it from decay

embalmer noun

embalmment

-mənt 

noun

Medical Definition

embalm

transitive verb

em·​balm

im-ˈbä(l)m, New England also -ˈbȧm

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

embalmer noun

embalmment

-ˈbä(l)m-mənt 

noun