morgue

noun

\ˈmȯrg

Definition of morgue

1 : a place where the bodies of dead persons are kept temporarily pending identification or release for burial or autopsy

2 : a collection of reference works and files of reference material in a newspaper or news periodical office

Examples of morgue in a Sentence

old news stories found in a newspaper morgue

Recent Examples on the Web

The same day, Mr. Sánchez, carrying his folder with the photos of his daughter, made his first visit to the local morgue. — Juan Montes, WSJ, "‘It’s a Crisis of Civilization in Mexico.’ 250,000 Dead. 37,400 Missing.," 14 Nov. 2018 As night fell on Caracas, and rumors swelled on social media that the government was planning to cremate the body to hide any signs of torture, family members gathered outside the morgue to demand Alban’s body be handed over. — Scott Smith, The Seattle Times, "Venezuelan opposition denies jailed politician took own life," 8 Oct. 2018 The governor of the western Mexico state of Jalisco has fired the director of the state morgue after a refrigerated truck carrying 157 unidentified bodies drew complaints from neighbors over the smell. — Fox News, "Mexico fires morgue director in corpse scandal," 18 Sep. 2018 Puerto Rico’s main morgue is now overflowing with unclaimed bodies. — NBC News, "Puerto Rico 9 months after Hurricane Maria: Questions persist over death toll, closed schools," 17 June 2018 The remains that are found are being sent to the Sacramento County morgue, where forensic experts will use fingerprints, dental records and medical records to try to identify them. — Erin Ailworth, WSJ, "After Paradise Fire, a Hunt for Human Remains Among the Ashes," 16 Nov. 2018 In Forsyth Park, autopsies were performed in an underground morgue, connected by an underground tunnel to the former Candler Hospital. — Condé Nast Traveler, "8 Most Haunted Cities In America and Why You Should Visit," 18 Oct. 2018 The bodies of the two men were dumped on a dusty street near the Metropolitan Cemetery and taken to the morgue, where someone recognized Jara and secretly informed his wife, the British dancer Joan Turner Jara. — Eva Vergara, chicagotribune.com, "Ex-soldiers convicted of killing Chilean singer Victor Jara," 4 July 2018 The police arrived to take her mom's corpse to the morgue, where Riabinina received permission to continue tending it. — Laura Mallonee, WIRED, "The Mystics Seeking Eternal Life Through Liquid Nitrogen," 22 June 2018

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