hearse

1 of 2

noun

ˈhərs 

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 sense 1

3

: a vehicle for conveying the dead to the grave

hearse

2 of 2

verb

hearsed; hearsing

transitive verb

1

a

archaic : to place on or in a hearse

b

: to convey in a hearse

2

: bury

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

Verb

• inter
• bury
• tomb

Examples of hearse in a Sentence

Verb

the cemetery hearses an average of eight bodies a week

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Each day brings more permanent residents, arriving in black hearses trailing solemn convoys of hazard-flashing cars to a place still served by generations of locals who cut granite memorials or pour sympathetic whiskeys. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

The hearse has air compressors so Martinez can make the vehicle bounce up and down. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

Verb

The Cadillac hearse that’s from the auction is part of local lore as well, Foley said. —Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

There was Ozzy’s hearse up front and the family in about five black SUVs following us. —Steve Knopper, Billboard, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English herse, from Anglo-French herce harrow, frame for holding candles, from Latin hirpic-, hirpex harrow

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for hearse

• curse
• purse
• terse
• vers
• verse
• worse
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse

Kids Definition

hearse

noun

ˈhərs

: a vehicle for conveying the dead to the grave

Etymology

Noun

Middle English herse "a triangular frame for holding candles," from early French herce "frame for holding candles, harrow," from Latin hirpex "harrow"

Word Origin

An early form of 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 similar in shape to the frame of a harrow and was used for holding candles. Herce was borrowed into English as hearse, and both the literal sense of "harrow" and the extended sense of "a frame for holding candles" were kept. 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 hearse was applied to it. A series of slightly changed meanings led to the use of hearse for a platform for a corpse or coffin, and from that to a vehicle to carry the dead to the grave.