Synonyms of urnnext
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
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Her ashes sit close at hand, in an urn decorated with the image of a fire lookout. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026 The urn containing her ashes sits conspicuously on the mantlepiece in her parents’ loveless bedroom. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026 My father's remaining ashes rest on the table in front of them in an onyx marble urn too small to contain someone whose life was so large. Danielle Parker, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 What Mai hopes his council colleagues will agree on this week to still honor that desire for something in Irvine is a city-run columbarium for burial urns with the location in the Great Park, which is the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, contingent on public feedback. Victoria Le, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for urn

Word History

Etymology

Middle English urne, from Latin urna

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of urn was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Urn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urn. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

urn

noun
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

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