incinerate

verb

in·​cin·​er·​ate in-ˈsi-nə-ˌrāt 

incinerated; incinerating

transitive verb

: to cause to burn to ashes

incineration

in-ˌsi-nə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

Examples of incinerate in a Sentence

The waste is incinerated in a large furnace.

Recent Examples on the Web

Demerzel shields the embryo with her body, and both are incinerated, vanishing in a white-hot instant, love and code consumed together. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025

The study estimated that more than 75 percent of that textile waste is eventually incinerated. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025

The Ochoco's bathroom is situated on the opposite side of the home to its living room and includes a shower, sink, and an incinerating toilet – which literally turns toilet waste into ash. —New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025

Every year in the United States, about five million cattle hides are either incinerated or dumped. —Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin incineratus, past participle of incinerare, from Latin in- + ciner-, cinis ashes; akin to Greek konis dust, ashes

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incinerate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

incinerate

verb

in·​cin·​er·​ate in-ˈsin-ə-ˌrāt 

incinerated; incinerating

: to burn to ashes

incineration

-ˌsin-ə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

incinerate

transitive verb

in·​cin·​er·​ate in-ˈsin-ə-ˌrāt 

incinerated; incinerating

: to cause to burn to ashes