: a combustible heap for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
broadly : a pile of material to be burned
a pyre of dead leaves

Examples of pyre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The deceased who are buried at the site would likely have been burnt on funeral pyres. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Allie—her body a flaming pyre of agony—rolled off the bed and fell to the floor. William Earl, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024 The Season 1 finale sees Lady Jane Grey being brought out to be beheaded and Lord Guildford Dudley put on a pyre. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 4 July 2024 The scene is crosscut with Rhaenyra and her family throwing items, including a riding blanket and a little horse figure, into a funeral pyre for Luke. Omar L. Gallaga, Washington Post, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for pyre 

Word History

Etymology

Latin pyra, from Greek, from pyr fire — more at fire

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pyre was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near pyre

Cite this Entry

“Pyre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyre. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pyre

noun
: a heap of wood for burning a dead body
also : a pile of material to be burned

More from Merriam-Webster on pyre

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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