pyre
Americannoun
-
a pile or heap of wood or other combustible material.
-
such a pile for burning a dead body, especially as part of a funeral rite, as in India.
noun
Etymology
Origin of pyre
1650–60; < Latin pyra < Greek pyrá hearth, funeral pile
Explanation
Pyre rhymes with fire. It's also a noun for a large pile of stuff for burning. Most times a pyre is part of a funeral — the body is burned on it. From the Greek pura or pur, meaning "fire," pyre came into English in the 17th century. Pyr is also the Czech word for "hot ashes." Remember, a pyre isn't the fire itself but the stuff that helps the fire burn, as firewood at a campfire. People and animals are burned on a pyre as part of a traditional funeral ceremony in some countries.
Vocabulary lists containing pyre
Fahrenheit 451
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Inferno Lingo: Fire Vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Anthem
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The effigy was placed on top of the pyre on Wednesday evening and the bonfire was due to be lit on Friday.
From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026
Blessedly, these ballerinas didn’t learn their skills in prison or the foster system, and their tutus are not fodder for a satanic pyre.
From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026
He was born to pose backlit by a pyre of flaming zombies and does so here, with the hot wind tickling his locks perfectly.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2025
However, when the pyre was lit, the boy’s devotion to Lord Vishnu protected him and left him unscathed while Holika, despite her immunity, burned to death.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 22, 2024
I envisioned myself burning on a pyre of dream sequences, and then the answer came to me.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
