urn

noun

ˈərn 

1

: a vessel that is typically an ornamental vase on a pedestal and that is used for various purposes (such as preserving the ashes of the dead after cremation)

2

: a closed vessel usually with a spigot for serving a hot beverage

a coffee urn

Examples of urn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Typically made of terracotta, the pots are usually tall and urn-shaped, but shorter, wider options are also available. —ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026

Her dad, Matt Capelouto, keeps her ashes in a sky blue urn. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026

Illinois officers pulled over Dartavius Barnes and found a small urn in his vehicle. —Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026

Beneath a leaden sky in a municipal cemetery, relatives of Eduardo Ramos and Alicia Cerrotta carry the two urns containing their remains. —Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English urne, from Latin urna

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for urn

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• fern
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• morne
• quern

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Kids Definition

urn

noun

ˈərn 

1

: a container that has the form of a vase on a base and often is used for keeping the ashes of the dead

2

: a closed vessel usually with a faucet for serving a hot beverage

coffee urn