burial

[ber-ee-uhl]

noun

1. the act or ceremony of burying.

2. the place of burying; grave.

burial

/ ˈbɛrɪəl /

noun

1. the act of burying, esp the interment of a dead body

Other Word Forms

• reburial noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of burial¹

First recorded in 1200–50; bury + -al ²; replacing Middle English buriel, back formation from Old English byrgels “burial place,” from byrg(an) “to bury” + -els(e), noun suffix ( riddle ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of burial¹

Old English byrgels burial place, tomb; see _bury , _-al ²

Example Sentences

Hundreds of mourners walked with coffins draped in colourful cloth into the compound of the Arerti Mariam church while clerics conducted burial rituals.

Read more on BBC

It also reminded residents that leaving litter or waste behind at the cemetery was a criminal offence and said there would be "strict monitoring and enforcement" to preserve burial sites.

Read more on BBC

The developer will get construction and grading permits to make the property more walkable and add places for burials.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Detectives investigating the murder received information from Hutchings' defence team about a potential burial site.

Read more on BBC

The tower had living quarters, courtyards, kitchens, a great hall where feasting took place and a chapel with a burial ground.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• funeral 
• interment