mor·tu·ary
ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē
-chü-ˌer-
1
: of or relating to the burial of the dead
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of death
Synonyms
Examples of mortuary in a Sentence
Adjective
the huge department store's mortuary atmosphere in its sad, last weeks of operation
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Jonathan Michael, a former NHS chief executive who led the inquiry, ultimately recommended surveillance cameras be installed in the mortuary and post-mortem room, and that non-mortuary workers and contractors be accompanied to the mortuary by another staff member.
—Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2023
When mortuary workers came for her body, the others filed out silently behind them, Rhea Shapiro, a longtime friend who was present, recalled.
—Alex Williams, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2022
Since the beginning of the pandemic, mortuary workers have been advised to handle bodies of COVID casualties with caution, and to wear protective equipment while doing so.
—Erin Prater, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2022
Though the final product is well-suited for a mortuary, Braverman points out that the overall atmosphere could fit an array of spaces.
—Kelsey Mulvey, House Beautiful, 31 Oct. 2022
The mortuary temples are important historical documents, providing information about the reigns of the pharaohs who built them.
—Bob Brier, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2022
In 2021, nationwide new student enrollment in accredited mortuary science programs jumped 24% over 2020, according to the American Board of Funeral Service Education.
—Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 10 Sep. 2022
Cole said her daughter hoped to attend Florida State University and study mortuary science.
—Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2022
He is shown defeating Nubian and Asiatic foes—events echoed in the mortuary temple’s decorations.
—Bob Brier, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2022
Noun
Scott was among several defendants charged in what prosecutors have called a nationwide scheme to steal and sell human body parts from the Arkansas mortuary and Harvard Medical School.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024
Real ashes won't solidify and would stay brittle, said Faith Haug, who chairs the mortuary science program at Colorado's Arapahoe Community College.
—CBS News, 20 Oct. 2023
Funeral home operators in the state don’t have to graduate high school, let alone study mortuary science or pass an exam.
—Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2024
Spots in its mausoleums usually begin at $46,995, according to the mortuary’s website.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
According to prosecutors, the defendants were part of a nationwide network of people who bought and sold remains stolen from the school and an Arkansas mortuary.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2023
Like a sportswriter becoming a major league pitcher, or an obit writer opening a mortuary.
—Sam Roberts, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
Unlike live makeup, mortuary products are more like poster paints, chemically designed for the corpse, which has none of the moisture, oils, texture, or warmth of pulsing flesh.
—Kathleen Watt, Allure, 6 Dec. 2023
The funeral home, which was based in Colorado Springs and used a building in nearby Penrose where the bodies were found as a mortuary, was first licensed in 2017.
—Colleen Slevin, The Denver Post, 9 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mortuary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near mortuary
Cite this Entry
“Mortuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortuary. Accessed 24 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
mortuary
1 of 2 noun
mor·tu·ary
ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē
plural mortuaries
: a place in which the bodies of the dead are kept until burial
especially
: funeral home
mortuary
2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to death or burial of the dead
Medical Definition
mortuary
1 of 2 adjective
mor·tu·ary
ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē
1
: of or relating to the burial of the dead
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of death
mortuary
2 of 2 noun
plural mortuaries
: a place in which dead bodies are kept and prepared for burial or cremation
More from Merriam-Webster on mortuary
Nglish: Translation of mortuary for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mortuary for Arabic Speakers
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