pyre

noun

ˈpī(-ə)r 

: 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

Her idea was expressed through a reenactment of the funeral of Achilles from the perspective of the flowers growing near his funeral pyre. —Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025

Now it has been relegated to the realm of wistful articles, added to the glowing funeral pyre of cultural entities—breakfast cereals, bar soap, chain restaurants, and so forth—that Millennials have been accused of abandoning. —Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025

With love, with longing, with righteous rage or shameful guilt, on a sacrificial pyre or in the eternal flames of hell: There are so many ways to burn. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

The pyre’s final stunt sees the avian structure break free and soar through the night sky. —Daron James, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pyre

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• ceasefire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer

Kids Definition

pyre

noun

ˈpī(ə)r 

: a heap of wood for burning a dead body

also : a pile of material to be burned