bereavement

[bih-reev-muhnt]

noun

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.

bereavement

/ bɪˈriːvmənt /

noun

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

2. a death

Word History and Origins

Origin of bereavement¹

First recorded in 1725–1735; bereave + -ment

Example Sentences

But the result is still the same: bereavement.

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Alliance MLA Nick Mathison has submitted questions to the education minister calling for grief and bereavement to become a formal part of the school curriculum.

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It takes 120 pages for Lynley himself to show up, called home on family business with Havers in tow, she on one week’s enforced bereavement leave due to the death of her mother.

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The thousands of people attending this dystopic bereavement rally don’t feel the least bit silly doing all of this for someone with such a wacky gum-to-tooth ratio?

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In England, there are plans for parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy to be entitled to bereavement leave.

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Related Words

• sorrow 

When To Use

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.