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

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

One campaign group has welcomed the recognition that vaccine injury and bereavement is real and that the current scheme is not fit for purpose.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Knowing what to say or how to support someone after a bereavement can be difficult.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 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

Winter was long that year, the dreariness punctuated only by my weekly counseling sessions and the odd sense of loss, almost bereavement, I felt whenever I finished one TV series and had to find another.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

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

"Some families have lost jobs, there's been bereavements, the list could go on and on and it's just about the school providing the right support for each individual," she added.

From BBC ● May 15, 2022

The owner promised to send me a fac-simile of the work, on her return to New York; but family bereavements and various painful circumstances have arisen to banish the recollection of such a promise.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 110, December 6, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

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