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

The urn had a formal repatriation ceremony in Italy on April 29, the FBI said. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026

The exhibition’s first wall presents a large photograph of Nicky holding their mother’s urn to set the scene. —Sarah Moroz, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

When Patrick’s father died, two years ago, Patrick and his siblings divided his ashes among themselves, and a portion rested in a columbarium; the urn was small. —Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Two urns, labeled Mom and Dad, sit on his mantle. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 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
• quern
• spurn

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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