columbarium

American  

[kol-uhm-bair-ee-uhm] / ˌkɒl əmˈbɛər i əm /

noun

plural

columbaria

1. a sepulchral vault or other structure with recesses in the walls to receive the ashes of the dead.

2. any one of these recesses.

3. columbary.

---

columbarium British  

/ ˌkɒləmˈbɛərɪəm /

noun

1. another name for a dovecote

2. a vault having niches for funeral urns

3. a hole in a wall into which a beam is inserted

---

Etymology

Origin of columbarium

1840–50; < Latin: literally, a nesting box for pigeons, equivalent to columb ( a ) pigeon, dove + -ārium -ary

Example Sentences

But on a dreary Sunday afternoon last fall, bouquets of white roses and blue hydrangeas enlivened the Spanish marble columbarium where Drakeo the Ruler is interred.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2025

At a columbarium, there is little to sweep and not enough space for elaborate altar spreads.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2023

The event is centered on volunteers who place wreaths at a veteran’s headstone or columbarium niche to honor their legacy and sacrifice.

From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2022

Space also is being carved out to build a columbarium and a scatter garden, where people can distribute ashes of their loved ones, Thomas said.

From Washington Post • Oct. 24, 2021

A door in the wall, on the left of the approach to the grotto, and a very steep staircase, lead to the columbarium, which is situated in a pretty fruit-garden.

From Seeing Europe with Famous Authors, Volume 8 Italy and Greece, Part Two by Halsey, Francis W. (Francis Whiting)