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

At the funeral home in Texas, Jesse’s body was embalmed, his body bag bearing the official tag from the Medical Examiner’s Office was incinerated, and the mortuary placed a new name tag on Jesse’s ankle. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

The family paid Risher $4,131 for funeral and embalming services in preparation for the funeral held at Casa Funeral Espinoza in Mexico. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

Urban preservation is often confused with a kind of embalming. —Jason Haber, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026

This solid resin, used to embalm the dead and as a painkiller (mixed with wine), poignantly foreshadowed Jesus' sacrificial destiny. —Nadia Cantú, AZCentral.com, 6 Jan. 2026

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