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

Unlike other funerary urns previously found in the region, none of the vessels had ceramic lids. —Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025

But Tibetans argue that not all Dalai Lamas have been born in China, and not all have been selected using the urn. —Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 July 2025

Today, next to the cast of Callie’s foot is an urn with her ashes and a glass curio cabinet filled with mementos including baby shoes. —Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025

The McLaren as a V8 Grecian urn, Paris driving off down Sunset, toward the edge of the earth. —Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025

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