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

Ricardo, who is the friend of a family that suffered a bereavement, said the victim's parents had endured three days without knowing what had become of their child.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

A number of candidates are people whose lives were transformed that day or in the wars that followed, but trauma or bereavement have not spared them from personal attacks.

From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026

According to the latest figures up to 30 September, external, 1,643 outstanding cases of bereavement or death in service are more than 100 days old.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Presented by Nick Knowles, DIY SOS sees a team transform the homes of families who are facing severe illness, disability, bereavement or building disasters.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

An actor taught his nieces and nephews to cry on demand, the craft of bereavement.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

The money helped venues that were facing imminent closure due to challenges arising from floods, fires and bereavements, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2025

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

And while the coupling between the “Groundhog Day” star and Kelis might seem unlikely, both share recent personal losses — bereavements that the Sun claims they bonded over.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2023

These excursions were mainly caused by bad health, from which, as well as from family bereavements, Miss Barrett was a great sufferer.

From A History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895) by George Saintsbury

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