bury

verb

ˈber-ē 

ˈbe-rē

also ˈbər-

buried; burying

transitive verb

1

: to dispose of by depositing in or as if in the earth

cultures that bury their dead

especially : to inter with funeral ceremonies

was buried with full military honors

2

a

: to conceal by or as if by covering with earth

a dog burying a bone

buried treasure

b

: to cover from view

buried her face in her hands

Their car was buried under the snow.

3

a

: to have done with

burying their differences

b

: to conceal in obscurity

buried the retraction among the classified ads

c

: submerge, engross

—usually used with in

buried himself in his books

4

: to put (a playing card) out of play by placing it in or under the dealer's pack

5

sports : to succeed emphatically or impressively in making (a shot)

bury a jumper

bury a putt

6

: to defeat overwhelmingly

They were buried by a score of 15-2.

see also:

bury the hatchet

Synonyms of bury

• inter
• hide
• lay
• tomb

Choose the Right Synonym for bury

hide, conceal, screen, secrete, bury mean to withhold or withdraw from sight.

hide may or may not suggest intent.

hide in the closet

a house hidden in the woods

conceal usually does imply intent and often specifically implies a refusal to divulge.

concealed the weapon

screen implies an interposing of something that prevents discovery.

a house screened by trees

secrete suggests a depositing in a place unknown to others.

secreted the amulet inside his shirt

bury implies covering up so as to hide completely.

buried the treasure

Examples of bury in a Sentence

He was buried with full military honors.

Their ancestors are buried in the local cemetery.

cultures that bury their dead

The dog buried her bone.

He buried the money in the backyard.

the search for buried treasure

He has learned to bury his feelings.

She buried her face in her hands.

The disclaimer was buried in the fine print.

The newspaper covered the story, but it was buried in the back of section C.

Recent Examples on the Web

Reportedly, Harry and his uncle discussed the book during his July visit to Althorp, where Diana is buried. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 17 Sep. 2026

The film is ultimately about survival, generational inheritance and the question of what accountability looks like when the past refuses to stay buried. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

When a government committee chaired by Oppenheimer recommended strongly against the development of the H-bomb, the Atomic Energy Commission buried the report by classifying it as secret. — Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

Past a certain point, more preparation buries the message instead of sharpening it. — Lynn Smith, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English burien, birien, beryen, going back to Old English byrgan, byrian, going back to Germanic *burgjan-, probably meaning "to conceal" (whence also Old Norse byrgja "to close, shut, hide"), zero-grade derivative from the base of *bergan- "to keep safe" — more at harbor entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bury

• bury the hatchet

Rhymes for bury

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

Kids Definition

bury

verb

ˈber-ē 

buried; burying

1

: to place a dead body in the earth, a grave, or the sea

2

: to place in the ground and cover over for concealment

buried treasure

3

: to cover up : hide

buried her face in her hands

Geographical Definition

Bury

geographical name

ˈber-ē 

town in Greater Manchester, northwestern England