bereavement

American  

[bih-reev-muhnt] / bɪˈriv mənt /

noun

• bereavements
  plural

1. a period of mourning after a loss, especially after the death of a loved one.

   The widow had many visitors during her bereavement.

2. a state of intense grief, as after the loss of a loved one; desolation.

   Not all therapists are equipped to treat clients suffering with such debilitating bereavement.

3. deprivation or loss by force (usually followed byof ).

   The bereavement of our community began with the closing of the mill.

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bereavement British  

/ bɪˈriːvmənt /

noun

1. the condition of having been deprived of something or someone valued, esp through death

2. a death

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Usage

What does bereavement mean? Bereavement is a period of mourning or or state of intense grief, especially following the death of a loved one. Bereavement is often a process that includes going through several stages of grief. Bereavement can also be used more generally to mean the state of having lost something very dear. Example: While on bereavement leave from work, Jenn coped with her loss by spending time in nature and talking to a therapist.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bereavements
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of bereavement

First recorded in 1725–1735; bereave + -ment

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Explanation

If you have ever mourned someone's passing, you know about bereavement — the period of sorrow that follows the death of a loved one. Bereavement comes from an Old English word that means “rob,” “deprive,” and “seize.” When a loved one is taken, usually through death, those who remain are often left in a state of bereavement. Bereavement is not only reserved for the death of a human family member or friend, but the loss of a pet can also induce bereavement.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bereavement bereavements

While her mother struggled to cope with the bereavement, Dawson found an interest in psychology and emotions.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

She said the qualified bereavement councillor she was supported by during her loss "saved her life".

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

The Seasons of Life workshops have been delivered in post-primary schools by a multi-disciplinary team, including specialist school nursing, paediatric psychology, the Southern Trust's bereavement co-ordinator and Cruse bereavement support services.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

She is one of about 100 school children who took part a project to help them deal with bereavement and loss.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Yossarian was unmoved by the fustian charade of the burial ceremony, and by Milo’s crushing bereavement.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Mr Crook, whose family suffered two bereavements in a matter of months, is one of a number of people calling for a review of the system in England and Wales.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2025

But only two blocks of coaching sessions were delivered, with subsequent sessions cancelled or postponed after Ms Allen-Wyatt told Mr Hughes that she had suffered two family bereavements.

From BBC ● Nov. 22, 2024

Their models projected that, even if all of the conflict-related deaths ceased after 2023, past bereavements would continue to impact communities and individuals until at least 2070.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2024

The courage of Josua Tuisova and Sam Matavesi, who have played on at this World Cup while stricken by grief after family bereavements.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 15, 2023

It was his delightful privilege to watch the unfolding of our two precious buds of promise, to administer consolation to his sorrowing charge in her successive bereavements.

From Cora and The Doctor or Revelations of A Physician's Wife by Madeline Leslie

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