hearse

noun \ ˈhərs \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of hearse

1 a : an elaborate framework erected over a coffin or tomb to which memorial verses or epitaphs are attached

b : a triangular candelabra for 15 candles used especially at Tenebrae

2 a archaic : coffin

b obsolete : bier 2

3 : a vehicle for conveying the dead to the grave

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Recent Examples of hearse from the Web

The procession of motorcycles and cars led the hearse to the stadium.

— nicholas rondinone, courant.com, "Hundreds Prepare To Honor Fallen Trooper Kevin Miller," 5 Apr. 2018
But Josh wouldn’t have wanted to show up to his internment in a hearse.

— benjy egel, sacbee, "Heroic sendoff: Batmobile brings ashes of teen who died of cancer to cemetery | The Sacramento Bee," 5 Apr. 2018
Service Corporation International, Carriage, Stewart Enterprises—have set up billion-dollar models to sell you a casket, give you a ride to the cemetery in that hearse, sell you the cemetery plot, and put up the marker.

— hayley campbell, WIRED, "A New Way to Dispose of Corpses—With Chemistry!," 27 Mar. 2018
People view and photograph the hearse carrying the remains of Rev. Billy Graham arrives at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove on Thursday, February 22, 2018 in Asheville, NC.

— Washington Post, "AP Explains: Graham’s rare honor at US Capitol," 23 Feb. 2018
In a separate story, the newspaper reported that mourners, some holding U.S. flags, lined the roadway in freezing temperatures Monday night as a hearse carrying Flick's body passed on its way from the hospital to the coroner's office.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "Mourners line Colorado streets to honor slain deputy: report," 6 Feb. 2018
At Main and Ferry in Martinez, Jamie Jobb was watching and listening on Wednesday, March 14, when a hearse (empty but for its driver), rounded the corner slowly, with its windows down.

— leah garchik, San Francisco Chronicle, "Homage to Asawa sculpture on its 50th birthday," 20 Mar. 2018
Twice on Sunday, hundreds of mourners, many of them parents and children holding hands, walked to funerals through overflowing parking lots, past hearses, black funeral limos and golfers unloading clubs.

— Washington Post, "Funeral after funeral, an emotional marathon for survivors of the Parkland school shooting," 6 Mar. 2018
Officers stood in formation and saluted as the hearse drove slowly into the Marion County coroner's office.

— vic ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "Police escort body of Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett from hospital to morgue," 4 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hearse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Evolution of hearse

Medieval French used the word herce for a harrow, a farm tool used to break up and smooth the soil. Herce was also applied to a triangular frame that was used for holding candles. Herce was borrowed into Middle English as herse. In those days, a large and decorative framework might be raised over the tomb or coffin of an honored person. Because this framework was often decorated with candles, the word herse was applied to it. A series of slightly changed meanings led to the use of herse (Modern English hearse) for a platform for a corpse or coffin, and from that to a vehicle to carry the dead. The verb hearse emerged late in the 16th century.