cremate

[kree-meyt]

verb (used with object)

cremated, cremating 

1. to reduce (a dead body) to ashes by fire, especially as a funeral rite.

2. to consume by fire; burn.

cremate

/ krɪˈmeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to burn up (something, esp a corpse) and reduce to ash

Other Word Forms

• cremation noun
• uncremated adjective
• cremationism noun
• cremationist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cremate¹

First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin cremātus, past participle of cremāre “to burn to ashes”; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cremate¹

C19: from Latin cremāre

Example Sentences

The company would cremate the parts of his body that weren't used and return his ashes free of charge.

From BBC

"If that is not possible - because the worst case scenario is that he has been cremated as somebody else - then we need to know that in order to move on," she added.

From BBC

"We have now 100% confirmed that we have cremated mum and dad, as mum and dad. It was a long process but it was definitely a necessary one."

From BBC

Overtaken by grief, Singh would spend hours sitting near the spot where his son had been cremated.

From BBC

They happen when people die in poverty, alone or without relatives who can afford to cremate or bury them.

From BBC

Related Words

• char 
• incinerate