exhume

verb

ex·​hume ig-ˈzüm 

igz-ˈyüm, 

iks-ˈ(h)yüm 

exhumed; exhuming

transitive verb

1

: disinter

exhume a body

2

: to bring back from neglect or obscurity

exhumed a great deal of information from the archives

exhumation

ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən 

ˌeg-zü-, 

ˌegz-yü- 

noun

exhumer

ig-ˈzü-mər 

igz-ˈyü-, 

iks-ˈ(h)yü-

noun

Synonyms of exhume

• unearth

Examples of exhume in a Sentence

the remains of John Paul Jones were exhumed in Paris and transported with great ceremony to the U.S. Naval Academy

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022, authorities exhumed McBride’s body for additional DNA testing, a step New Jersey State Police said was critical to isolating an unknown male DNA profile from earlier evidence. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

Graves lie empty, with large rectangular holes where the dead have been exhumed. —ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026

Investigators made a breakthrough in that case using DNA technology after McBride's remains were exhumed in 2022, according to the statement. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

His hand dove for his pocket, fishing out his wallet, exhuming cards — credit, debit, whatever — and punching their digits into his favorite betting apps. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin exhumare, from Latin ex out of + humus earth — more at ex-, humble

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exhume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

exhume

verb

ex·​hume igz-ˈ(y)üm 

iks-ˈ(h)yüm

exhumed; exhuming

: to remove from a place of burial

exhumation

ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən 

ˌegz-(y)ü-

noun

Medical Definition

exhume

transitive verb

ex·​hume igz-ˈ(y)üm  iks-ˈ(h)yüm 

exhumed; exhuming

: disinter

the body was exhumed for an autopsy

exhumation

ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən  ˌegz-(y)ü- 

noun